Wire and Metal Bending Department The unique detail of Napier’s jewelry was often the result of designs created in the Wire and Metal Bending Department. These designs were either hand-formed, or created with the assistance of a jig to bend into the desired shape. No two pieces of jewelry were exactly alike. Napier’s unique designs […]
Archive | Jewelry History
The Dolly Madison Bracelet
First used in 1922, this hinged bangle bracelet remained a staple in the line for over 70 years. It can be found with many surface patterns, including polished, textured, basket weave, and gold or silver tapestry. The bracelet has a characteristic “lip” around the edge as seen in the bracelet above. Or History […]
Roman Influence: Byzantium Jewelry Collection
Influenced by Roman traditions, the jewelry from the Byzantine Empire played an important role toward the expression of social status and wealth. With an abundance of successful trade and available wealth. In the late 520s AD, the emperor Justinian established a law whereby only the emperor could legally wear sapphires, emeralds and pearls; leaving gold […]
Displaying One’s Party Affiliation is No New Fad
Displaying One’s Party Affiliation is No New Fad Political symbolism dates back to 1874 after a series of political satire cartoons were published in a number of publications, including Harper’s Weekly. Cartoonists, playing upon each others’ work, soon adapted the animal-affiliated party representation. Women have been displaying their political party affiliation since 1920s when Mrs. […]
Aluminum Jewelry in Fashion: Giorgio Sant’ Angelo
Eloxal (electrolytic oxidation of aluminum) jewelry was made mostly from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. Eloxal jewelry can be found marked Germany or W. Germany and is among the collectible genre of aluminum jewelry. Jewelry made of aluminum is sleek, sturdy, highly reflective and lightweight. It was a metal of choice for some couture designers […]
5 Tips to Choosing the Perfect Piece of Jewelry
Choosing the right piece of jewelry for your sweetheart can be a fun and rewarding experience, both for you choosing that special piece and for your sweetheart to receive it. There are 5 things to keep in mind when looking for that special piece. Choose a Gift She will Feel Confident to Wear Often Selecting a […]
The Madame Of Fashion Visits America — Coco Chanel
In the 1920s, American women were enthralled by the sophisticated designs that emerged from Europe. Europe, and in particular Paris, France, was the epicenter of all that represented fashion. Consumers were hungry for the latest styles both in clothing and jewelry. It was a time when American fashion industries, including jewelry manufacturers, all bustled to […]
3 Reasons to Appreciate the Art of Cabochon Jewelry
To love jewelry one has to appreciate the effort involved in making a piece. Some old-world techniques have been lost to mass-production, but here are three reasons to appreciate the art of cabochon jewelry. The 1980s was transitional period as American Costume Jewelry Manufacturers began to move production aboard. The Napier “Cabochon Collection” was introduced […]
Jewelry “Nails” It With Fashion Flair
If someone walked up to you and asked, “What’s your most appealing way to get ‘nailed’ with jewelry,” you would probably think that person was cuckoo or trying to hit you up with some S & M pickup line, but when when it comes to Napier jewelry, one of the all time favorite Napier necklace […]
Hand-Carved Designs: A New Way to Appreciate Jewlery as Art
One way to appreciate art is through the hand-carved designs by Napier. The Napier designers were first and foremost sculptures. Every cast piece was hand-carved in-house with meticulous detail before a mold was made. The hand-carved designs by Napier were numerous, especially with the conversation pieces. In this example you can see the lines that create […]