1970s Jewelry Designers and Brands: a Mainstream Acceptance of the Youth Movement

The 1970s is a decade that never goes out of style. It was a decade were jewelry designers were inspired by counterculture to produce aesthetic jewelry. While there was still bridal and traditional fine jewelry being made, the 1970s fashion saw a mainstream acceptance of the youth movement among jewelry designers. According to Patricia Faber of the Aaron Faber Gallery, the 1970s was a decade where ‘nobody was afraid to be bold’. As of that decade, here are the top ten jewelry designers of that era.

1970s Jewelry Brand-BULGARI

Despite starting out from humble beginnings in a small village in Greece, the Bulgari brand has risen to become one of the most renowned jewelers globally. Founded in 1870 by Sotirios Voulgaris, the Bulgari brand expanded the brand to include timepieces, bracelets, as well as other luxury goods in the 1970s making them one of the successful 1970s fashion designers. The ‘70s brought a variety of motifs to Bulgari’s design, with angular forms, vibrant colors, and oval elements with cabochons some of their signature motifs of that era. The design of the Monete pendant was an epoch-making event for the brand therefore making it to the top ten jewelry designers.

ANDREW GRIMA

The renowned Anglo-Italian jeweler was a force to reckon with in the jewelry and fashion design industry in the ‘70s. Grima, through his designs, churned out displayed uniquely aesthetic pieces that appealed to sophisticated audiences.  These unique designs were brought to the fore in his 1971 amethyst drop earrings, as well as the 1972 space-age opal and diamond pendant.

PIAGET

Founded in the Swiss Jora Mountains in 1874, Piaget’s designs were one of the dominant designs of the 1970s. Famed for their aesthetically pleasing watches and bracelets in that era, Piaget raised the bar even further with their Traditional Oval Piaget watches and bracelets of 1974—both of which were works of goldsmithing prowess. At the Salon International de Haute Horlogerie of 2015, re-edits of Piaget’s vintage icon watches and bracelets of the ‘70s were exhibited.

Jewelry Brand in 70s-CARTIER

The Cartier brand was also one of the top famous brands in the jewelry industry throughout this decade, although it was a quiet period by Cartier’s own standards. For Cartier, the 1970s were dominated by the release of the iconic Love bracelet and the sale of the 69.42-carat diamond to Richard Burton.  This era marked an innovative period in the brand’s history, as everyday objects were transforming into dazzling pieces such as the nail series designed in 1971.

VAN CLEEF AND ARPELS

Van Cleef and Arpels produced highly sought after pieces during this period. For instance, the Lion bracelet designed in 1971 was a fusion of exotic animals that joined abstract patterns. With shapes and sparkling hues inspiring an enchanting world. The Van Cleef and Arpels catalog of 1971 was a throwback to the era of Etruscan and Greek art.

TIFFANY’S in 1970s

Now one of the most famous jewelers worldwide, as one of the 1970s fashion designers, we see Tiffany’s rise to become of the premium luxury brands in the United States. The fluid, seductive open-heart necklaces designed by Elsa Peretti when she came on board in 1974 truly put Tiffany’s among the country’s zeitgeist.

MONET

Monet was one of the pioneers of ‘tailored jewelry’ in the 1970s. Founded by brothers Michael and Joseph Chernow in 1919, the jewelry giants churned out crisp and dazzlingly beautiful gold and silver-plated jewelry suitable for everyday wear gaining the jewelry design firm a spot in the top ten jewelry designers.

TRIFARI

Widely credited with being the pioneers of mainstream custom jewelry, Trifari was the most celebrity-catered brand of the 1970s of the vintage jewelry industry. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Trifari was acquired by Hallmark, and then Monet. It is now owned by Liz Claiborne.

HARRY WINSTON

Founded in 1932 by ‘The King of Diamonds’ Harry Winston, the Harry Winston brand has remained one of the top jewelling brands despite the death of its owner in 1978. Through the ‘70s, Harry Winston’s designs continued to attract celebrities, royalties, and Hollywood stars alike. Throughout that decade, Harry Winston produced some of the most famous diamonds and pieces of fine jewelry.

PIERRE STERLE

Also in the top ten jewelry designers, Pierre Sterle brand began its journey to prominence in the 1950s. He embraced Naturalism and his designs were highly recognizable. He was famous for his bird brooches, a design that depicted birds and feathers. Throughout the 70s, Sterle was regarded as one of the best 1970s fashion designers across Europe, with his use of gems, diamonds, and precious stones second to none.