Jewelry during the Renaissance
Filed Under: Gem Stones, Necklace, Rings, White Gold
European jewelry was highly revised during the renaissance. At the dawn of 17th century, the increase in trade and exploration led to the availability of various gemstones. Initially, silver and gold dominated the European market, but renaissance witnessed the emergence of precious stones with their settings. Cheapside Hoard was the perfect example of such stones. It was a jewel found in London at the time of ‘Commonwealth’, but disappeared with the passage of time. It was again discovered in 1912. It enclosed Colombian emerald, Brazil’s amazonite, topaz, Sri Lanka’s chrysoberyl, spinel, and iolite, India’s ruby, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, Turquoise from Persia, peridot from Red Sea, and opal, amethyst and garnet from Bohemia and Hungary. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a merchant of that time, brought the Hope Diamond in 1660s to France.
In 1804, France got its new Emperor-Napoleon Bonaparte. He invigorated the grandeur and style of fashion and jewelry in France. Under Napoleon’s reign, parures were introduced by jewelers. They also brought diamond tiara, diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond necklace, and a diamond brooch into the world. These sets were regularly worn by both of Napoleon’s wives. Cameo was another fashion trend revamped by Napoleon. Cameos’ demand increased by leaps and bounds after his crown had been decorated by cameo. France emerged as a hub of costume jewelry during the rule of Napoleon. The stone cameos came to be replaced by the conch shell cameos or pearl cameos, containing glass beads covered with fish scale. Bijou tiers were the jewelers working with cheaper materials and joailliers were the jewelers working with costly materials.
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