The 1980s was a decade that saw the emergence of bold and stylish fashion trends. From shoulder pads to bright neon colors, this decade and its accompanying trends made history in more ways than one. This was also true for jewelry, as many dazzling designs took center stage and became iconic of the time. What better way to take a trip down memory lane then remembering some of the most famous 1980s jewelry trends?
One of the defining aspects of 1980s jewelry was the sheer amount of it being worn at any given time and place. During this era, it wasn’t uncommon to see people wearing multiple rings on all fingers, long necklaces, dangling earrings and large brooches that were worn in different combinations. Many people wore all their jewelry pieces simultaneously which created an artful ensemble reminiscent of a work of haute couture.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable jewelry trend from this glorious decade is big glitzy costume jewelry made with rhinestones and other sparkly metals. These vibrantly colored items caught everyone’s attention with their size and immaculate craftsmanship seen in hoop earrings, crystal cocktail rings, diamond studded line bracelets and classic charm necklaces featuring anything from animals to letters or symbols which represented special meanings without having to say many words aloud.
Finally, fake pearls were an important part of 1980s fashion trends that could be seen casually paired with jeans or dressier shoes for special occasions such as weddings. Many fake pearl sets came complete with necklace bracelet combination or full set pieces such as drop earrings and multiple layered bead necklaces that allowed for a romantic but glamorous take on necklace styling options taking you into night out dancing effortlessly all around town from disco balls to street lights.
The look was always unique but could be achieved by raiding your grandmother’s closet if the original pieces were unavailable or too expensive for purchase at the time.
Popular Themes and Materials
The 1980s saw a surge in experimentation when it came to jewelry. There was an influx of different materials, gems and styles that proved to be wildly popular with folks around the world. Seeing as everyone wanted a piece of the action, jewelers sought out ways to meet such demands without compromising quality.
That’s when colorful plastic pieces and ornate metal embellishments began taking form. Everything from rubies, sapphires and emeralds were used to create mesmerizing pieces that made bold statements like no other before them.
One of the most iconic themes that defined the era was punk – so many individuals were looking for a way to blend fashion and rebellion together, and jewelry helped achieve just that. Charms and chain-link pieces were all the rage among those trying to infuse their looks with elements of authority, creativity and diversity.
Many turned toward gemstones as another iconography they could use to accessorize their clothing even further. Rubies were often incorporated into designs due to their strong symbolism; it’s said that those who wore this precious stone found themselves succumbing to its power for courage, strength and confidence.
At the same time, gold finishes became more common than ever before and helped people express a sense of luxury through their jewelry. In order to make these intricate designs more affordable, manufacturers opted for using sterling silver as an alternative material which didn’t compromise design nor appearance – a favorite among many still today.
Other materials like pearls also grew in popularity within 80’s jewelry trends due to its alluring luster and luminous reflections. When put together with all these materials mentioned above, 80’s jewelry trends created something special never seen before.
Big and Bold is Better
The 1980s was an iconic decade for fashion, and jewelry was no exception. With the rise of MTV, everyone was eager to keep up with the latest trends and styles. Women were particularly drawn to statement pieces that announced their sense of style.
One of the most impressive aspects of 1980’s jewelry trends is the oversized glasses and necklaces that took center stage in many of the looks. Not only were they beautiful and eye-catching, but these massive pieces also made a powerful statement when paired with an outfit on a night out or at an important event.
Huge chandelier earrings came in all shapes, colors, materials and textures. Women could choose from a range of options to compliment their varying degrees of confidence, showing off their creativity as well as their own individual tastes for every occasion – from dinner dates to weddings and much more.
Glamourous bangles with glittering stones added a touch of class and originality to any outfit. Many women chose bright colors such as hot pink, orange or even lime green for their bold bracelets so they could stand out in a crowd or make the perfect statement among friends and family.
For many fashionable ladies, a great ensemble wasn’t just about finding the right clothes; it was also about accessorizing it with jewelry that had its own story to tell. Oversized necklaces became a popular choice since they were glamorous yet strong enough to promote an individual’s personal style.
They could easily draw attention to every outfit while amplifying other elements such as makeup choices or haircuts. Whether you chose thick chains or light strands intertwined with sharp beads or pastel-colored stones – they were unforgettable accessories that gave joy throughout the decade and which have lived on through various styles until today.
Celebrating the 80s Spirit
The 1980s was a decade of bold style and bright colors – something that translated perfectly into the fashion of the time. Jewelry trends from this era are still appreciated to this day, and include some truly iconic pieces. Colorful glass beads were hugely popular at the time, with bright and vibrant tones dominating necklaces, earrings, bangles and bracelets during the decade.
Alongside these colorful pieces were more traditional trends such as pearls and luxurious Lucite jewelry. Necklaces featuring striking yet elegant combination between the two materials were extremely popular in the 80s, and remain fashionable today.
Of course pearls could also be used more sparingly in more striking jewelry designs too, allowing them to add a hint of classic elegance to any ensemble without detracting from its overall look. Using other materials such as semi-precious stones or synthetic gems was also common in jewelry design in the 1980’s as modern materials allowed for an unprecedented range of looks and styles for people to choose from.
Jewelry findings too played an important part in 80s fashion trends. Pieces such as chains, earring hooks, clasps and spacers allowed many creative variations when putting together a necklace or bracelet; providing people with the opportunity to craft their own unique accessories or collaborate with talented jewellery makers on new looks not available almost anywhere else at the time.
With different finishes ranging from modern chrome tones to luxurious gold plating giving wearers even more room to express themselves through their items, it’s small wonder so many iconic figures of the 1980s were regularly spotted adorned head to toe with beaded statement pieces.
Ball Earrings
The iconic Power Earrings from the 1980’s were not around when the decade started, but they certainly exploded out onto the fashion scene by mid-decade. The Ball Earrings that began to be worn featured larger than life bright designs which made them the talk of the town and a real statement piece. These earrings often came in sets of two – one for each lobe, clearly reflecting one’s commitment to making a major style statement.
An interesting side note was that while some might think these earrings were a fashion statement driven by young ladies only, it wasn’t at all uncommon to see men wearing them as well. Even though they were mostly known as ‘Power Earrings’, they went through multiple nicknames – ‘Studs’, ‘Big-Ears’ & ‘Bling-Ears’, just to name a few – providing more evidence of their immense popularity in cities and towns across the U.S. during that era.
They could be found with different colors & sizes offering numerous options for those wanting an extreme change with minimal effort.
Not surprisingly, this new wave of jewelry didn’t go un-noticed in Hollywood either; filmmakers took inspiration from it and added these earrings into films as props – making them even more famous. One example of this was the 1985 Movie ‘TuffTurf’ directed by Fritz Kiersch, starring James Spader which has many scenes where he can be seen sporting his own set of ball earrings paired up with his punk wardrobe to total perfection.
These properties along with their pop culture boom is what made these Ball Power Earrings so recognizable around the world today as an 1980’s signature look, thus putting it in its rightful place as one of 80’s fashion trends contribution to personal style freedom.
Reviving Old Themes with a Creative Edge
The 1980’s jewelry trends shaped an era that saw the rise of big, bold statement pieces. With that said, these post-modern designs took on old themes with a creative edge – allowing for familiarity of decorative styles to fit within a contemporary setting. It was popular during this period to take inspiration from Mayan and Aztec history, as well as from Greek mythology.
But rather than imitate ancient looks exactly as they were seen before, many craftspeople enhanced them with modern textures and shapes. A variety of materials were used to make a wide selection of brightly colored pieces.
This expression of artistry in jewelry was typically characterized by antique-looking designs that had tribal-influenced patterns or images. Pieces often featured the face of an animal such as a lion or dragoncombined with geometric shapes, swirls and patterned lines.
The metals used included both bronze and silver (sometimes gold) often decorated with cultured stones of earthy hues like lapis lazuli and jade which gave off an aging, ethereal quality when set into bezels or soldered into chains. Silver pendants could be found along with ornate turquoise necklaces linked together by braided silver strands.
In addition to the stylized renditions inspired by Antiquity, other iconic pieces from the 1980s jewelry trend included asymmetrical earrings highlighted by colorful geometric shapes like circles, pyramids and stars in bright shades like coral orange, neon yellow and lavender purple. Many innovative versions featured amethyst stone embellishments set next to tiny cubic zirconia studded jewellery chains for an overall glamorous flair; some even boasted raw gemstones in concave settings for a bolder look.
As layered choker collars made a return to fashion too – granting the eighties dynasty its distinct retro vibe – hoops hung low on ears further amplified elegance through high carat gems such as sapphires and emeralds.
Caring and Preserving 1980s Jewelry
The 1980s trended heavily toward bold, bright fashion, and with it came an array of unique jewelry unlike any other decade prior. Color was everywhere in 80s jewelry, adding a pop of vividness against the heavy reliance on black clothing.
Accessorizing the otherwise bleak ensembles with bright metallic pieces such as chunky bracelets, tassel-accented earrings and double strand necklaces was part of the new wave of fashion statements released by designers at the time. Cubic Zirconia jewels on gleaming silver or gold metal also brought a newfound sparkle to everyday life.
In order to keep this iconic jewelry looking great for years to come, experts agree that cleaning is the key to success. As these brightly colored pieces age, their luster can decline over time if not taken care of properly. Keeping up regular cleanings can help maintain their look and will allow them to stay shining and vibrant like they did when they were first worn back in the 80s.
Jewelry cleaners can be purchased at many department stores as well as online in liquid or foam form. When using store bought cleaners always ensure that each piece of jewelry is readied according to product instructions, being mindful that some items may require special cleaning solutions depending on base metal brandings or gemstones used in its construction.
The most importantly needed item when caring for your jewelry is simply a clean soft cloth; this is essentially all that is required which you would use along with warm water and mild soap to wipe down each piece; removing surface dirt, dust, oils and debris from every area.
For harder-to-reach crevices gently work your cloth around each seam until dirt removes away from crease lines without too much force exerted onto movement parts within the piece itself such as clasps or hinges for instance.
Lastly when it comes to storage items are best kept laying flat in sealed airtight boxes lined with cotton fabric or placed hung onto decorated wire holders designed specifically for this purpose in your closet for example; whichever method suits you better should suffice just fine.
Keeping all engraved areas on each item listed from plating materials down to hallmark stamps visible upon inspection should boost safety whilst making sure updated photos get done annually as well – then your cherished memories are forever stored away nicely reminding you what it was like during those prime days full of fantastic jewelry trends during the 80s era.
Conclusion
The 1980s marked a major shift in terms of fashion trends and jewelry styles. From big, bold, colorful pieces to thin, delicate silver designs and everything in between, the 1980s played a significant role in the evolution of jewelry styles.
Over the decades since then, these themes have continued to evolve and trends from the 1980s are still seen today – with an edgy modern twist. In 2020 for example, minimalist jewelry influenced by 80s aesthetic emerged as a top trend – thin chain earrings, dainty necklaces, hoop earrings and more were popular staple items in everyone’s wardrobe.
In addition to reigniting old favorites from previous decade with a modern flair, 1980s jewelry trends also continue to spark ideas for new and innovative designs. Many brands are constantly experimenting with small chunky chains, vintage trinkets and other unique old-school looks while adding their own unique spin on it.
Each piece is unique and carries with it hints of nostalgia that fashion aficionados just can’t resist. Metals such as gold have stood out particularly notable during this time as they have been used throughout history among royalty – but now they are being innovated into something new while still keeping true to its roots.
Overall, one thing is clear – 1980s Jewelry Trends leave a lasting impression upon the minds of contemporary design hunters – inspiring them to think outside the box when looking into future trends for the upcoming years. As the love for nostalgic fashion pieces continues grows over time so too does our love for reinvented timeless pieces from decades past – ensuring that 1980’s jewelry trends live on forever.
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
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