The use of gems and jewels during the Elizabethan Era was extremely common, they used many different types of jewels for decoration, sometimes using them to symbolise their nobility. Pearls were an integral aspect of the jewellery . They could be worn singly or in strands and clusters. They could be clustered to create necklaces and headpieces. But they could also be sewn to clothing singly, or used to decorate hairstyles. Elizabethan jewellery was similar to the type of jewellery worn in the modern age - but it was only available to the Nobility or Upper Class.
Image Credit: Jewelry in Elizabethan England. 2013. Jewelry in Elizabethan England. (Online) Available at: http://elizabethancostume.net/jewelry/. Accessed 12 November 2013.
Gold chains and strings of pearls of varying lengths and sizes were the most common type of jewelry worn by both the richer, more royal members of society. The rich sometimes wore several strands of pearls together, I noticed this when researching Elizabethan portraits, especially of Queen Elizabeth.
Pendants were also very popular, made with jewels and pearls. They often had teardrop pearls hanging from the bottom. This is where I got my inspiration of using a pearl pendant resting onto the forehead from the crown of the head for one of my hair designs. This kind of style is both modern but still has the Elizabethan reference.
Image Credit: Jewelry in Elizabethan England. 2013. Jewelry in Elizabethan England. (Online) Available at: http://elizabethancostume.net/jewelry/. Accessed 12 November 2013.
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