17th century
JewelryWiki Editorial·1 source·Reviewed 2026-08-04
Pastel dress fabrics turned jewellery into a backdrop problem, and candlelight made sparkle worth engineering for.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Named for | The century; a chronological label. [1] | — |
| Defining traits | By the mid-century, changes in fashion had introduced new styles. Dark fabrics required elaborate gold jewellery, while softer pastel shades became graceful backdrops for gemstones and pearls. The most impressive jewels were large bodice or breast ornaments, pinned or stitched to stiff dress fabrics, with swirling foliate decoration and new enthusiasm for bow motifs. [1] | — |
| Characteristic stones and metals | Expanding global trade made gemstones ever more available, and advances in cutting increased their sparkle in candlelight. Painted opaque enamel was a recent innovation, said to have been developed by Jean Toutin of Châteaudun. [1] | — |
| What to watch for | Jewels of this period were made to be attached to a garment, not worn on the body, which is why so many survive as brooches converted from bodice ornaments. [1] | — |
Sources
- V&A — A history of jewellery — Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A, A history of jewellery)