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About Estate JewelryEstate jewelry is a mirror of the world that was an expression of an individual today, and a treasure for those tomorrow. Estate jewelry satisfies self-expression, encourages the "hunt" and intimately ties the past to our lives today. Whether antique, vintage or modern, estate jewelry offers a world of diversity seldom seen at today's contemporary jewelers.
JB Hudson offers the Midwest one of the best collections of estate jewelry, along with knowledgeable specialists to assist in selecting the perfect piece. If you are just starting with your first purchase or a discriminating collector, JB Hudson has the carefully selected quality estate jewelry for you.
JB Hudson specializes in the following areas: Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro, and Modern.
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| The years 1837 to 1901 were under the incredible reign of England's Queen Victoria and her profound influence on all aspects of the entire world. "Victorian" jewelry is divided into three groups: Early, Mid, and Late. |
Rare Early Victorian Diamond Brooch
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Early Victorian
1837 to 1860 encompasses the time from the young queen's ascension to the throne, her betrothal and subsequent marriage to Prince Albert, and the birth of her children. It was a romantic time, and the jewelry of the period reflected the romance with its sentimental styles. Snake jewelry was popular due to Victoria's snake engagement ring. Scottish jewelry reflected the young couple's frequent (and very happy) stays at Scotland's Balmoral Castle and a reinterpretation of Medieval and Middle Ages jewels showed in garter, ribbon, and heraldic motifs.
Early Victorian characteristics
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Sapphire & Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch
Peridot & Diamond Brooch
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Mid-Victorian
Mid-Victorian jewelry, from 1861 to 1885, is partially influenced by the depth of Queen Victoria's deep mourning for Prince Albert, whose untimely early death in 1861 devastated the young Queen. She never came out of mourning for him, and her court followed suit, as was the custom at the time. However, the burgeoning diamond industry with its South African discoveries and increasingly effective cutting techniques saw a surge in popularity of diamond jewelry among the growing wealthy class. The jewelry market was expanding from the limited titled and royal classes to an increasing "nouveau riche" with unlimited funds from industry and trade…and they were looking for ways to show their wealth!
"It was not a bosom to repose upon, but it was a capital bosom to hang jewels upon. Mr. Merdle wanted something to hang jewels upon, and he had
bought it for the purpose…The bosom of moving in Society with the jewels displayed upon it, attracted general admiration."
Charles Dickens describing Mr. Merdle's wife in LITTLE DORRIT (1855-1857)
Mid-Victorian characteristics
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Sapphire Flower Brooch
Enamel Painting & Gold Brooch
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Late Victorian
From circa 1885 to Queen Victoria's death in 1901, Late Victorian continued to see increases in diamond jewelry (which looked wonderful under new electric lighting), world influence on jewelry styles, and the young Royals' (Prince Edward and wife Princess Alexandra) exuberance for the social set and its parties. An expanding leisure class emphasized the desire for more and more jewelry likened to their lifestyles and interests, i.e. sporting jewelry, flora and fauna jewelry, world jewelry, and archaeological/historical revival jewelry.
Growth of a more affluent middle class saw jewelers copying "haute" jewelry using semiprecious colored stones and lower caratage gold and sterling.
Late Victorian characteristics
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Citrine & Ruby Brooch
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Sculptural, glamorous and bold best describe 1940 to 1955, during and after WWII. American jewelers were at the forefront in utilizing multi-colored gold, big semiprecious color and "structural" mountings. Fashion led the way with big padded shoulders, dramatic waists, asymmetric hats and cocktail dresses. Movie stars heavily influenced style for the first time, with the "Royals" taking a secondary role.
Retro characteristics
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Opal & Diamond Brooch
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A wild range of personal expression best describes jewelry from this time period. Whether you love the classic diamond and tapered baguette rings from the 1950s, the wild enamel pins from the late 1960s, or the over-the-top necklaces for the 1980s, modern encompasses it all!
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In addition, JB Hudson has fine estate jewelry from the Art Nouveau (1890 to 1920) and the Arts and Crafts (1880 to 1920) movements.
Estate jewelry offers many things to consumers, including highly distinctive styles, construction techniques that are all but impossible to duplicate today, memories of sentimental family pieces, good values for the dollar, signature items for the discerning collector from times past, and romantic expressions for today's customer.
Questions? Please call our Estate Specialists at 612.338.5950 or toll-free at 800.338.8234.
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