The 1960’s were the first decade to be chronicled to a huge degree by the perfusion of still and television images. This had a profound effect on the sixties jewelry trends, especially with the advent of technicolour to images.
Harry Winston was the most famous fine jeweler of the period, creating pieces for the celebrity world. Famous jewelry houses of the day had relationships with celebrities in which they gave jewelry on loan for the celebrities to wear. Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor used these endorsements to great advantage. Taylors favourite designer was Bulgarai, who produced her famous Sapphire and Diamond necklace.
Audrey Hepburn was one of only two people to wear the famous Tiffany yellow Diamond in 1961 when she was promoting “Breakfast at Tiffanys”. Tiffany were famous for promoting coloured gemstones, which became very popular in the 1960’s.
Cartier the Parisian company which creates high-end jewelry was the envy of the world when Grace Kelly wore their 270 diamond encrusted poodle on her iconic Mondrian dress by Yves St Laurent.
Pear and Marquise cut diamonds became popular, as did Ballerina mounts. The other cardinal stones also became popular – sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Yellow gold was used instead of platinum. Jewelry design and production developed greatly in this golden age of the 1960s.
