For a long time, only wealthy and noble segments of the population could afford to buy jewelry, but the 19th century made precious accessories more accessible to the community. Technological progress has allowed developing techniques used for the creation of cheaper jewelry products, which, at the same time, was of a lower standard.
However, most people did not appreciate the opportunity to buy low-quality and dull jewels, albeit less expensive, which led to a jewelry crisis. In its turn, it contributed to the creation of a new trend in the world of luxury jewelry. It could not boast of the chic of historical styles, but still, masters working in this new direction were developing elegant, stylish, and fascinating things. The new method was called Art Nouveau, and it represented a challenge to the established traditions and rules of the game of jewelry fashion. Today, it is one of the favorite trends of famous New York jewelers.
The unique Art Nouveau jewelry enjoyed popularity across the globe, mainly for its distinct philosophy of precious metal and stone use in production. Previously, it was assumed that only prime materials may be used to make diamond jewelry, such as gold of the highest standard and precious stones of the first category. The prevailing number of high-end diamond jewelers of that time began to construct fantastic compositions of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls.
Unique Art Nouveau jewelry completely astonished the world of expensive adornment. Jewelry became more individual, allowing to express the exquisite taste and custom design ideas of its beholder. Luxury diamond jewelry evolved to take more refined and sensual forms. The masters appreciated the amenity of other materials; the formalism of diamonds was replaced with the vibrant shades of opal, tourmaline, chalcedony, moonstone, aquamarine, and green garnet. Dedicated diamond jewelry designers started using their preferable gemstones only as a highlighting background, as a wrapper for the concept of splendor of other jewels. Hence, the Art Nouveau style helped to expand the boundaries of the jewelry world, endowing the admirers of prestigious accessories with abundance of options.
Motifs reflected in unique Art Nouveau jewelry pieces grew more explicit. The female body represented the primary source for their inspiration. From now on, graceful outlines featured in diamond jewelry symbolized desire and provocation. The appearance of the feminine body in jewelry art is, perhaps, the most significant innovation of Art Nouveau. Until that time, similar motifs were found only in cameos and intaglios. Producers of vintage luxury jewelry depicted the sensual and seductive nature of a woman in their unique designer rings, luscious necklaces, and magnificent brooches. Another essential theme of this trend became floral and animal motifs: flowers, animals, insects, and nature in general. Despite being used earlier, they received a new impetus – luxury jewelry products executed in this style exuded the energy of life with their blossoming flowers, rapid rivers, and graceful creatures.
Alongside other New York jewelers, Rafka draws inspiration from the life itself, from naturalistic scenes he witnessed as a child when he first developed a keen passion for the creation of custom-made luxury jewelry. Pouring heart and soul into his impeccable jewelry pieces, Rafka produces exclusive accessories resonating with the personality of their owner. Unique Art Nouveau jewelry by Rafka will bring you a masterpiece worthy of becoming your family’s heirloom.
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