History of
Synthetic Jewelry
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In the early eighteenth century and the nineteenth
century, the bourgeoisie started the creation of
jewelry according to their tastes and means. To fill
this need, jewelers used many methods to produce
ornaments similar in style to those worn by the most
fashionable members of society. Foiling was one
of the first innovations in this area. A piece
metal foil was placed behind a less expensive stone
or gem to enhance its sparkle. This was a
short-lived practice that served its purpose well.
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Synthetic stones were an essential part of this category of
jewelry. They first appeared on the market around 1880. The
synthetic ruby was the introductory stone and at the time
was considered a great scientific achievement. Cultured
pearls were first patented in 1896 to help fill this void.
These new essential pearls were first produced by Mikimoto,
a Japanese noodle maker.
France
led its way in these synthetic jewelry. During the
revolution much of the best jewelry was brought into hiding.
Coldness and formality of design was obvious, with a great
lack of gold and stones for the purpose of ornament. The
only stones used were inexpensive ones of moss-agates and
pebbles and their mountings were in low-grade gold. One
replacement for gold was developed by Pinchbeck. He invented
an alloy of copper and zinc, similar in color to gold
and now known for its developer as Pinchbeck.
Experimenters in the making of glass gems became more
numerous. The making of counterfeit jewelry became so
flourishing that in 1767, the trade was incorporated as the
joailliers-faussetiers of Paris. Development of beads and
fake jewelry became a boon to the businessman in trade,
which was a great impetus in the expansion of their making.
Warehouses were kept in England just for beads and every
year France exported beads of glass by the ton. |