Jewel
personalityJewellery adorns almost every woman on the planet, its main function to inspire desire. Jewellery has been intrinsically tied to beauty and the feminine for a long time, says Jennifer Whitenor, but are things changing as jewellery becomes more accessible?
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hether we are gazing in shop windows, hether are gazing we in shop windows, flicking magazines through or following the fashion A-list statements stars of and ‘You now have art jewellers who are are who jewellers art have now ‘You Far from simply being a pretty addition that will go well well go will that addition pretty a being simply from Far Penton, Keith insists ever,’ as popular as is ‘Jewellery shift femininity of definition the seen has shift cultural A
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Photo credit: – focused on temporary, almost throw- Katel Riou for Cartier away clothes – the jewellery market is also coming round to the idea of modern, quick-fix consumerism. As a result, we are seeing a significant rise in the demand for costume jewellery.’ Costume jewellery is made from less valuable materials, such as base metals, glass and plastic. It first reached widespread popularity when worn by Coco Chanel, but has since spread to the wrists, necks and ears of almost everyone. It allows for greater innovation and more dramatic and colourful designs. However, it says something quite different from the high-end luxury jewellery. Penton believes that at the top end of jewellery design, ‘people often want perfection. In the 18th (Top left) Rings and things: modern and 19th centuries people didn’t diamonds are graded grade diamonds as precisely as we more precisely, helping do now.’ These levels of perfection women make a bigger force the prices up, but that makes statement the statement all the bolder if you (Top right) Swinging are wearing diamonds. sixties: a topaz and Men’s attitudes are changing diamond ‘flower twist’ as well, although, as Charlotte necklace by Fulco di Verdura, circa 1966 Purssord from Cosmopolitan magazine points out. ‘Contrary to (Bottom left) Green popular belief, David Beckham with envy: this emerald was not the first man to wear and diamond pendant brooch was made in jewellery and a skirt. We know England in 1829 using that men wore jewellery as far back as the 5th century.’ a Mughal emerald from However, in the past jewellery was a status symbol for the mid-17th century men. Now it is becoming a decoration for men as well as women. And that’s what it is all about: looking good. No matter how you choose to define your femininity ‘Contrary to (or masculinity), jewellery can play a part in popular belief, getting your message across. Whether it’s diamonds David Beckham was that cost millions, glass beads from the local market not the first man or your grandmother’s engagement ring, jewellery, to wear jewellery used well, can help you be attractive within your and a skirt.’ Photo credits for brooch and definition of femininity. n – Charlotte Purssord necklace: © Christie’s Images Limited
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