Costume jewellery came in about 200 years ago, mostly for reasons of security – the rich would wear their copies while travelling (these were the days of highwaymen links of london). Today, costume jewellery is still going strong,allowing us to wear big baubles at little cost. In the Eighties silver took over from gold which was left mostly for those who wanted to flash their wealth. The contemporary jewellers Jess James opened in 1988 and helped launch the careers of jewellery designers such as Jacqueline Rabun, Dinny Hall links of london sweetie, Malcolm Betts and Tom Binns. Before this, going into a jewellers was associated with being rich, or buying an engagement ring. Now it is possible to buy beautiful pieces without spending a month’s wages and engagement and wedding rings are replaced with “betrothal” and links of london friendship. Next year gold will make a big comeback, so watch out for ankle chains and waist chains worn with bikinis.
When one is used to seeing antiques from czarist Russia, it comes as a surprise when one encounters a line of men’s shirts. But, then, everything comes into place: The shirts, the latest spring line from Hilditch and Key of London and Paris, serve as background for antique cuff links from A La Vieille Russie, the antiques and links of london charms uk dealer founded in 1851. There are diamond and black enamel cuff links mounted in yellow gold and platinum from about 1910 (American, Dreicer & Co.), platinum and yellow gold, ruby and diamond set (English, c. 1940), and many others. The show opens today and runs through March 29.