About French Jewelry
Vintage French jewelry is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistic excellence. French jewelers have a long history of mastering intricate techniques, such as filigree, enameling, and stone setting, resulting in pieces of top-notch quality and beauty.
Timeless jewelry designs created in France transcend fashion trends. The use of classic motifs and harmonious proportions ensures that vintage French jewelry remains relevant across generations.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, French jewelry was heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau movement. Between 1920s and 1930s, the Art Deco movement took over, influencing French jewelry with its geometric shapes, bold colors, and symmetrical designs.
France is home to several prestigious jewelry houses that have made significant contributions to the world of vintage jewelry. Notable names include Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Boucheron, each with its unique style and heritage.
Coco Chanel made a significant impact on the world of jewelry with her costume jewelry designs. Her use of faux pearls, glass, and other non-traditional materials revolutionized fashion jewelry.
Whether you’re interested in the elegance of Art Deco or the organic forms of Art Nouveau, there's a wide range of vintage French jewelry styles to explore and appreciate.
About vintage jewelry
Vintage jewelry is something we can talk about for days. For such a big subject with multiple aspects to discuss, here we’d like to focus on the most important parts of it.
So, what is vintage jewelry? Why is it so appealing? And what's the best way to buy your vintage jewelry online?
In the industry, different sellers and makers have different opinions on the time period when vintage jewels were made. Here at Nadine Krakov, we consider vintage as anything being made between 50 and 100 years ago. Therefore, all jewelry produced from 1930 to 1980 is called vintage.
This time frame comprises Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century styles. Why do we love vintage jewelry so much? It's all about the quality of making and, of course, the aesthetic.
Vintage pieces were mostly made by hand or at least hand-finished while modern jewels are mainly cast. As the lifestyle back in the days was much slower, jewelry makers literally had more time in their hands. Skilled craftsmen honed their craft and reputation. They couldn’t allow a flimsy, poorly done piece to ruin that. Mass market jewelry didn’t exist at that time. Each little detail of a piece was executed thoughtfully and with the high quality in mind.
All the above is especially important when you are looking for a vintage engagement ring. If you want to find a special, one-of-a-kind engagement ring, look no further because we’ve got you covered. Either it's a perfect diamond ring or a stunning color gemstone ring, we have a great variety to choose from.
How to shop your vintage jewelry online? Ask questions about the maker's marks and hallmarks, request a video of the piece, and show it to your jeweler. The easiest way to be confident with your purchase is to find a trustworthy, reputable seller. And if you happen to be in the Beverly Hills area, just google “vintage jewelry near me”, find Nadine Krakov Collection store and stop by for a good chat with a sip of champagne.
