The Victorian Era started and ended with Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901, a time period that began with horse-drawn carriages and candlelight and ended with automobiles and electricity.

The Edwardian era, like the Victorian era before it, derives its name from the reign of English royalty, King Edward VII (1901-1910). When considering the stylistic elements of the Edwardian period, the era actually begins earlier, during the declining years of Queen Victoria’s reign, and ends a few years after Edward’s death with the onset of World War I.

Although the Art Deco period extends roughly from 1910 to well into the 1930s, it was primarily a product of the "Roaring '20s." A desire to eliminate the delicate, romantic lines and unnecessary ornament of the Edwardian period resulted in the cleaner, more rigid lines found during this period.

Retro Modern jewelry refers to pieces created in the late 1930s through the 1940s, a time when jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes accompanying World War II.

The large, flamboyant jewels of the Retro Modern Era, the Jacqueline Kennedy-inspired 60s jewelry, the fringe chains and turquoise of the 70s, and the bold gold of the 80s are all design movements in the vintage era.

Contemporary fine jewelry today has as much variety as all design movements from the last 100 years put together.