The dress jewellery
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by: Anita Johnston
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Word Count: 513
The tradition was started somewhat in 17th century. The great Napoleon was the pioneer of dress jewellery. He started the trend and within few years they spread to other countries of the Europe. A combination of cheap end expensive jewellery had also become available all over Europe. The cheaper ones were worn by lower middle class and the finer one by wealthy people of high classes.
The rule of Queen Victoria marked the period of industrial revolution. The industrial revolution made mass production of goods possible, there was no dearth of gold mines in the British empire and availability of gold has grown, the entrepreneurs of that time started machine production of such common gold ornaments as rings and chains. The Victorian age is known as an age of affluence so the use of gold ornaments increased manifold.
This is why the he times of Queen Victoria also saw great jewellery changes and vogues. Victorian women were fond of wearing hand-made jewellery, though machine-made was also in trend. The machine-made jewellery was cheaper but the use of jewellery has generally been associated with pretentiousness. No wonder, the women of high classes found them more fashionable to wear. Moreover at that time, the British empire was the largest in world and cheaper labour in colonies ensure abundant supply of man-made ornaments. This encouraged craftsmanship of the goldsmiths.
Victorian age also gave birth to a new trend known as the mourning jewellery. These were worn on some sad occasions and places. The mourning rituals were increased those days. The jewellery colour was black, which is also the mourning colour. Generally the people at an occasion of funeral wear black suits. Queen Victoria wore a great deal of black jewellery after the death of Prince Albert.
The arts and craft jewellery was another trend in 17th century. After the industrial revolution, the jewellery consisted simply of Celtic forms. The Queen Alexandra is famous for her great pearls that she used to wear from neck to bottom. Earlier pearls were rare but their use increased when high quality pearls were discovered in the upper region of Persian Gulf. The fine sea pearls were an integral part of the jewellery Queen Alexandra wore.
The dress jewels were also in great trend. The 17th century woman always wore earrings that matched with her dress. In Asia, the kings of India were known for their use of jewellery. Women too used to wear dresses including gold threads. The sarees made of fabric including gold-threads are known as Zari sarees. Though somewhat heavy compared to other sarees but even today on ceremonious occasions women love to wear them.
European dress ornaments were later on replaced with butter fly shaped brooches. The diamonds were used to decorate a dress and unto 40 diamonds could be used on a single dress. The sleeve or lower dress part was decorated with jewels. Brooches with diamonds and other jewels are still in vogue among the rich and women wear them on special occasions.
About the Author
Anita Johnston is an expert in the field of diamond necklaces, engagement jewelry, and diamond jewelry. Learn more about how to Buy Diamond Earrings and the history of diamond jewelry by visiting www.webtrify.com.
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