1950s Jewelry & Fashion (2024)

This guide to 1950s jewelry and fashion will help you identify and date your vintage costume jewelry! Even for people who are accustomed to handling and wearing vintage jewelry, dating can be challenging. This is because styles and elements from previous decades were brought back to life repeatedly throughout the decades. This page will provide you with a taste of 1950's jewelry and the styles that accompanied it. So, what were the 50s like, and what styles and ideologies helped guide fashion during that time? The 1950s was a decade of glamour and sophistication, and the jewelry of that era perfectly captured the essence of the time. From the rise of Hollywood stars to the influence of the post-war economic boom, the 1950s jewelry trends reflected a newfound sense of optimism and prosperity. You can use this fun list of fashion trends to determine whether you are truly a 50s soul.

1950s jewelry was more refined than that of the 40s big retro styles. It was glitzy, sometimes emulating fine jewelry, and sometimes obviously faux. Faux pearls were common and multi-strand necklaces were immensely popular. Brooches were a wardrobe staple, often being worn in groups on the shoulder. Gold-tone pieces such as wide bracelets and big button earrings were worn as daytime jewelry and the “diamond look” was often seen in the evenings. Sets of matching pieces completed the modern women’s look. As post-war incomes increased and women desired more choices in their accessories, new styles in copper and plastics provided the variety they were looking for. What follows is a window into the past of how women adorned themselves in the 1950s.

1950s Jewelry varied on the spectrum from glamorous and elegant to fun and artsy. Looking at the styles of the decades that came before and after can also help you to date your vintage jewelry. New fashions evolved from previous styles, so knowledge of manufacturing techniques through periods in history can help in pinpointing the age of your jewelry.

• Retro and Atomic Age Influence: The 1950's jewelry designs were heavily influenced by the post-World War II era. The Retro and Atomic Age styles were prominent during this time, with jewelry reflecting the optimism and innovation of the period.

• Chunky and Colorful: Jewelry in the 1950s was often chunky and bold, featuring large, colorful gemstones and crystals. This era also saw a resurgence in the popularity of pearls.

• co*cktail Rings: co*cktail rings were a significant trend in the 1950s. These rings were often large and featured eye-catching gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. They were designed to be worn to co*cktail parties, symbolizing elegance and sophistication.

• Costume Jewelry: Costume jewelry was widely popular in the 1950s, as it allowed people to achieve a glamorous look without spending a fortune. Designers like Miriam Haskell and Christian Dior produced exquisite costume jewelry pieces that imitated the look of fine jewelry.

• Gold and Silver: Yellow and rose gold were commonly used for jewelry in the 1950s. Additionally, silver jewelry was popular, especially for more casual or everyday wear. Silver was often paired with colorful gemstones and crystals for a vibrant look.

• Innovative Materials: During this period, jewelry designers continued to experiment with new materials such as thermoplastics to create colorful, chunky bangles, bracelets, and stoneswhich allowed for unique and playful designs.

• Nature-Inspired Designs: Nature served as a significant source of inspiration for jewelry designs. Motifs like flowers, leaves, and animals were common. Pieces featuring delicate enameled flowers and bird motifs were especially popular.

• Choker Necklaces: Choker necklaces became a fashion staple in the 1950s. They were often made with pearls or rhinestones and were worn close to the neck, accentuating the elegant necklines of the era's dresses.

• Mid-Century Modern Influence: The clean lines and geometric shapes of the mid-century modern design movement influenced jewelry designs. You can find pieces with sleek, minimalist designs and abstract patterns from this period.

• Celebrity Influence: Jewelry worn by celebrities of the time, such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, had a significant impact on fashion and jewelry trends. Their iconic jewelry choices helped popularize certain styles.

• The Aurora Borealis (AB) Finish for Crystalswas developed by the Swarovski company in the 1950s (1956). Swarovski is well-known for its high-quality precision-cut crystals and innovative coatings, and the AB finish is one of their most iconic creations. This special finish gives crystals a dazzling and iridescent effect, reflecting a spectrum of colors and resembling the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which is how it got its name. The invention of the AB finish revolutionized the jewelry and fashion industry, as it added a new level of brilliance and glamour to crystal jewelry and accessories. Although an "Iridescent finish" was used on stones and beads prior to the 1950's, Swarovski crystal stones with the AB finish are not seen until after this creation date.

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