Diamonds and electricity?? Thomas Edison sustainably lit the first light bulb in 1879, and his vision of bringing electricity to the masses sprung forward! He not only envisioned electricity inside of homes and businesses but also harnessing it for machinery. In 1900, a Belgian immigrant to the United States motorized the first diamond saw, and it was a game changer for the sparkle of diamonds and the fashion of jewelry!
Cutters were now able to be more precise and accurate slowly evolving the round brilliant diamond (which used to be more rectangular with soft corners) to the modern ideal cut we see today. Interestingly, it was also the demand from consumers for more spark from the sparkle in diamonds too! Electric light produces more light than a candle or flame, so the diamond cuts of the day weren’t reflecting the most amount of light causing diamonds to look a little dull under the improved wattage. New cuts with more facets and precise angles were needed! Read my blog about cut, www.angelacisneros.com/post/the-4-c-s-cut for more info on why.
With electric gemstone cutting machinery, the Art Deco era of jewelry (1914 to mid 1930’s) was able to harness creativity and introduce new cuts and shapes that could be shaped into mosaic patterns. Triangle cuts, shield cuts, and tapered baguettes to name a few! In the 1960’s, the princess cut diamond, so popular today, was developed. Electricity has shaped and changed our world in more ways than one! Thanks, Thomas!
I find it so fascinating how each era of jewelry fashion since the very beginning has changed with the current social, political, and economic climate. Just recently, from the late 90’s to 2008/2009, jewelry was all about the bling! If it was encrusted with diamonds, everyone wanted it! Heck, people were even wearing blue jeans with crystals covering the pockets. After our recession, though, we went back to more conservative and small pieces with far less bling. I am curious to see all the ways this Covid pandemic will affect our taste in jewelry. Already, people are looking to the meaning of jewelry, from family pieces passed down or will be passed down to reminders to stay grounded with initial jewelry.
As my first blog of 2021 concludes, I want to thank you for reading! I wish you joy, peace, and plenty of love this coming year! If you want a unique jewelry shopping experience where you aren’t just one of the crowd this coming year, contact me! I work with my clients one-on-one as their personal jeweler bringing the fun and trust back to jewelry! Read a little about who I am www.angelacisneros.com/meet-angela and book your appointment. Happy New Year!!