Are you interested in eighteenth century jewelry? Do you know what pieces were important during that time? Collecting eighteenth century jewellery can become both a fun hobby and a secure investment.

Jewellery has had various uses at different times throughout history and divergent significance for different people. Jewellery has been used to show rank for some people, and for others it is a way to flaunt their wealth. At times, jewellery has had religious connotations or significance. Usually, however, jewellery is a way to adorn oneself to fit in with traditional custom or fashion. jewellery style can vary widely from one continent to the next, or even from one country or state to another. Eighteenth century jewellery was no exception.

While the earth’s earliest human residents may have used jewellery consisting of such things as flowers, nuts, berries, seashells, bones, feathers, attractive stones, teeth, metals and similar items, styles changed much over the centuries. People began to use increasingly valuable materials such as gold and precious gems. Centuries ago, Egyptians used many emblems in jewellery making, and incorporated those emblems into collars, armlets and anklets. Ancient Romans began making cameo jewellery, the Celts made gold jewellery designed in Celtic knots.

Different cultures around the world used and designed jewellery in assorted ways. The 1300s introduced glass beads. Later on enamels, brooches, girdles, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and all sorts of other jewellery appeared. Prior to the 17th century, jewellery settings were nearly forgotten because most jewellery was so loaded down with stones that little of the style or setting could be seen. Fortunately, it was about that time that gaudy, conspicuous display of precious stones gave way to the more-appealing styles of lapidaries and jewellery designers.

By the time the eighteenth century rolled around, jewellery styles had changed drastically in Europe and the United States. While bracelets were once popular, they lost some of their appeal in the eighteenth century. The reason was not so much that women didn’t appreciate beautiful jewellery about their wrists, the change was due more to the long-sleeve dress styles worn by most women. Bracelets would have been a waste of money because the sleeves would have hidden any wrist adornment. Some still wore bracelets, but they weren’t as plentiful as they previously had been.

Instead of bracelets, eighteenth century jewellery was largely comprised of earrings, brooches and necklaces. Strings of pearls, decorative buttons, pocket watches on gold chains, fobs and snuff boxes represented some of the leading style statements of the day. For the wealthy, adornments such as stomachers attached at the waist, and sprays of diamonds worn in the hair were popular at formal events. For the less well-to-do, necklaces made of seed beads were popular in certain circles.

Collecting eighteenth century jewellery can be a lot of fun, and it can be an inflation-fighting investment. As you study the history of eighteenth century jewellery, you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about the history of your own country and ancestors. There are several books available to introduce you to the subject, as well as many on-line sites.