Modern (1960s onwards)

From the 1960s onwards, there have been significant transformations in popular culture and fashion, encompassing everything from the psychedelic wave to the assertive power dressing trend of the 80s.

The ideals of the late twentieth century, particularly glamour and modernity, were encapsulated by iconic jewellery designers like Andrew Grima, Georg Jensen, and John Donald. In this period, jewellery started to establish an even stronger connection with the domains of sculpture and design.

Te 1960s and subsequent decades marked a move towards more unique, artistically inspired jewellery pieces, often drawing on abstract and minimalist influences. This was also an era of exploration and experimentation with materials, with designers incorporating unconventional materials like acrylic, aluminum, and even everyday objects into their creations. This period also saw a resurgence of interest in handcrafted pieces, as part of a broader cultural movement towards individuality and self-expression.

Moreover, the advent of fashion houses and brands venturing into jewellery design, such as Chanel and Dior, also significantly impacted the landscape of jewellery design during this period, bringing an element of high fashion to the jewellery industry. The societal changes and shifts in gender norms during this period also resulted in jewellery becoming more unisex, with designs that could be worn by anyone, regardless of gender.