If you happen to watch “Antiques Roadshow,” you will have most likely observed the numerous types and supplies utilized by jewelers through the Victorian period. There’s all the things from modest milk glass beads and superbly carved cameo brooches to elaborate necklaces manufactured from gold and treasured stones. All this selection was influenced by necessary historic occasions through the Nineteenth century.

An extended-lasting affect started in southern Italy when treasures had been dug up from Pompeii between 1806 and 1814. French jewelers revived the traditional artwork of mosaic jewellery. Italian jewelers started carving shell and different kinds of cameos. By the mid-Nineteenth century, Roman jeweler Fortunato Pio Castellani had made mosaic inlay and Etruscan filigree items common. Collectors are nonetheless prepared to pay huge bucks for examples. Castellani is acknowledged because the pioneer of the classical revival in Greek and Etruscan types. At the moment, reproductions can be found within the unique types.

The Renaissance Revival influenced English and French jewelers from the 1830s to the 1860s, impressed by the romantic novels of Sir Walter Scott and Victor Hugo.

By the late 1860s, one other historic occasion — the event of the Suez Canal — and papers printed on excavations within the Nile Valley created a revival of Egyptian-style jewellery. This included scarabs that had been set in brooches and bracelets.

The invention of diamonds in South Africa in 1867 made them high style, particularly since so many diamonds flooded the market, making them reasonably priced.

Jade turned a well-liked stone for jewellery after the French expedition in China within the 1860s. Because of the conquest of Peking and the Summer time Palace in 1860, a considerable amount of imperial jades had been despatched to France and was jewellery.

The opening of Japan to Western commerce within the 1850s didn’t change into a jewellery affect until the 1870s. Then, miniature followers had been mounted in gold as bracelets, brooches and earrings.

Two of Castellani’s sons joined his workshop, creating three completely different maker’s marks.

Cameos had been virtually mass-produced by many Italian jewelers as rings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches.

Mosaic jewellery remains to be being made within the outdated model. The brand new items are set in.

For sure, reproductions are an issue. Get an announcement of authenticity from the vendor. Or, perhaps you’re going to get fortunate and uncover a rarity. There are various books on vintage jewellery and maker’s marks.