If there’s one category of jewelry that is instantly recognizable, it’s Retro. These fascinating pieces practically scream “1940’s”! Can’t you picture this saucy gold and ruby swirl ring gleaming on your finger? Me, too.
Estate Swirl Ring
Retro pieces are filled with explosive styles never seen before in jewelry design. Take this ruby pin, for instance, or this fabulous cocktail ring. They will get the conversation started, for sure.
Ruby Pin
But what caused this incredible burst of creativity and innovation in jewelry design at this time? I asked Tom Kowal, our Estate buyer for his insights.
“For one thing,” he said, “women helped in the 1940’s war effort by working outside the home. This led to a drastic change in lifestyle. Remember Rosie the Riveter, the poster for the women working in WWII?”
“Women were playing a dynamic, active role in the war effort and the big, bold jewelry of this time reflects that. The styles became powerful and strong, the antithesis of the dainty, lace styles of 25 years earlier.”
Retro Estate Jewelry
Makes sense, doesn’t it? We all know there’s no time for frilly jewelry when you’re running around all day. Fragile pieces are fine for sitting by the fireplace, but out in the real world? Forget it. We need durability. The women of the 40’s spoke and jewelry designers listened.
Retro Bracelet
Today Retro jewelry is as hot and en vogue as it was in the 40’s. Joining forces, the women of the 40’s and the jewelry designers formed a great team with outstanding results.
Leave a comment and tell me your favorite Retro type of jewelry: rings, bracelets, earrings or necklaces?
Inside the Jewelry Box
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Gloria-i like pins and broaches.Retro jewelry is nice if you can find it.Again,the selection is probaly very limited,in most cases.
Gloria I love the pins and brooches on the link you provided, thank you! Do you have any information on Retro earrings? I am especially interested in earrings for pierced ears, but find that most Retro pieces are clips.
Ben,
The Retro period of jewelry design typically refers to the period from just before WW II through the 1950′s. You can learn more about the jewelry through these estate eras here > http://gemz4.me/WMIlJC
Ben,
We do carry our one-of-a-kind estate jewelry pieces in our stores. We can ship any item you see on our website to your local store for you to take a look at it. If you would like to do this, please contact the store or our customer service department.
Christine & Paula,
We do have a number of pins & brooches in our collection. Our holiday jewelry books will have some more pins featured as well.
Here is our complete collection of pins & brooches: http://gemz4.me/QQZ6AD
Estate pins & brooches of all eras: http://gemz4.me/RNh9ZV
Happy Shopping!
Retro is fabulous. I am a big fan of broaches! It is so hard to find them. Will Ross-Simons be reintroducing broaches/pins in their collections any time soon?
I love that Retro jewelry is in vogue again, especially pins. Are new pins being produced, or should I look primarily at estate pieces?
Gloria-is the retro jewelry carried in your stores?? If so does it sell fast and how is the stock replenished in terms of selection and pricing?? I am very interested in this concept of associating a time period in American history with your jewelry.REGARDS BEN SMITH
Gloria-why are the 1940s the era for retro jewelry??? I would think it would be the 1960s.Very interesting information however.Ross simondns