Chloe Zhang
The 1940s saw the rise of Retro jewellery, a style that celebrated bold, elaborate designs with an emphasis on volume, size, and colour. This dramatic evolution was influenced by evolving fashion trends and the global atmosphere of World War II. With metals like platinum being used for the war effort, jewellers turned to more abundant materials such as gold and lab-created gemstones. The 1940s also saw the continued use of plastics in jewellery, with Bakelite being the most popular plastic of the period. Developed in 1907, Bakelite jewellery became accessible due to its attractive colours and low price point. Other plastics used in the 1940s included Catalin, Lucite, and Celluloid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity of plastic jewellery in the 40s | Plastic jewellery was popular in the 40s |
| Types of plastic used in the 40s | Bakelite, Catalin, Lucite, Celluloid, Galalith, Cellulose Acetate, Plexiglas |
| Jewellery made from plastic | Brooches, necklaces, bangles, earrings |
| Features of plastic jewellery | Colourful, large, statement pieces, marbled effects, translucent hues, glitter, shells, rhinestones |
| Appeal of plastic jewellery | Colourful components, affordable, accessible |
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What You'll Learn
- Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, was used to make jewellery in the 1940s
- Plastic jewellery was accessible to all due to its attractive colours and low price point
- Plastic beads were used to make necklaces, which could be braided or rolled together
- Costume jewellery designs were getting larger and bolder, with bib necklaces becoming popular
- Bangles were fashionable in the 1940s, often made from colourful plastic
Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, was used to make jewellery in the 1940s
The 1940s saw the emergence of new, cheaper materials in jewellery-making, such as wood, shell, glass, fabric, and plastic. Plastic jewellery was prized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the first plastic jewellery dating back to around 1875. The first true synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was developed by Dr Leo H Baekeland in 1909. It was initially used to make electrical switches.
Bakelite jewellery was accessible to all due to its attractive colours and low price point. Early pieces were relatively simple, with muted colours and simulated pearls with Bakelite bases. Bakelite was also used in combination with other materials, such as wood, shell, and other plastics. It was commonly used to make brooches and statement necklaces, with matching earrings.
Bakelite's popularity continued into the 1950s and early 1970s, with jewellery companies occasionally using Bakelite components. However, as a hazardous substance that creates toxic dust when carved, it posed health risks for artisans working with the material. Over time, Bakelite jewellery in blue turns black, and white plastic turns yellow.
Today, Bakelite jewellery from the 1940s is available for purchase on websites such as Etsy, where customers can find items like vintage necklaces, earrings, and bangles.
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Plastic jewellery was accessible to all due to its attractive colours and low price point
Plastic jewellery was widely accessible in the 1940s due to its attractive colours and low price point. The two most popular plastics of the period were Bakelite and Catalin. Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, was developed in 1907 or 1909 by Dr Leo H Baekeland, and its bright colours and affordability made it very popular in the 1930s and 1940s. It was often used to make brooches and statement necklaces, and was sometimes mixed with wood or shell.
Catalin, another early plastic, was equally popular in the 1940s. It was known for its marbled effects and translucent hues, which rivalled the shades available in Bakelite. Other plastics used in jewellery manufacture during this time include Lucite, Plexiglas, polystyrene, cellulose acetate, and Galalith.
The use of plastic in jewellery allowed for a range of colours and styles that were accessible to all. In the 1940s, it became fashionable to adorn the arms with a stack of various thick coloured plastic bangles, and plastic beads were used to make necklaces. Plastic jewellery could also be elegant, with white metal and rhinestones providing the base for larger coloured gemstones.
The popularity of plastic jewellery in the 1940s can also be attributed to the novelty and fun of the designs. Costume jewellery was larger and bolder, with bib necklaces becoming popular in the late 1940s. These necklaces featured multiple strands of beads at different levels, drawing attention to the neckline. Matching earrings were also oversized.
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Plastic beads were used to make necklaces, which could be braided or rolled together
Plastic was used in jewellery-making in the 1940s. The use of plastic in jewellery production dates back to the late 19th century, with the first plastic jewellery pieces appearing around 1875. Plastic jewellery became increasingly popular in the 1920s, with designers like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli incorporating beautiful plastics into their costume jewellery. By the 1930s and 40s, plastic jewellery was accessible to all.
In the 1940s, plastic beads were used to make necklaces, which could be braided or rolled together. These beads could be any colour, and plastic was often mixed with wood or shell. The most popular plastics of the period were Bakelite, Catalin, and Lucite. Bakelite, developed in 1907 or 1909, was prized for its bright colours and low price point. Catalin, another early plastic, was known for its marbled effects and translucent hues. Lucite, also known as acrylic resin, was valued for its transparency and brightness. These plastics were used to create statement necklaces and brooches.
Plastic beads were not the only type of jewellery being made with plastic in the 1940s. Plastic was also used to create bangles, often stacked together with wood or gold bangles. Plastic brooches were also popular, as were ID bracelets and charm bracelets made from metal.
Today, plastic jewellery from the 1940s is collectable, with many sellers offering vintage plastic necklaces, bracelets, and brooches for sale online.
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Costume jewellery designs were getting larger and bolder, with bib necklaces becoming popular
Costume jewellery in the 1940s was characterised by its bold and large designs, with a particular focus on statement necklaces, such as the bib necklace. This type of necklace featured multiple strands of beads at differing levels, drawing attention to the neckline. The beads themselves could be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, Lucite, or glass, and were available in a wide range of colours.
The popularity of plastic jewellery in the 1940s can be attributed to the development of Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, in 1907 or 1909. Bakelite jewellery became popular in the 1930s and 1940s due to its bright colours and low price point, making it accessible to a wide range of people. Other popular plastics during this time included Catalin, which offered marbled effects and translucent hues, and Lucite, which became more popular in the 1950s. These plastics were often used to create brooches and statement necklaces, sometimes mixed with other materials such as wood or shell.
The use of plastic in jewellery allowed for more affordable and accessible statement pieces, contributing to the trend of larger and bolder costume jewellery designs in the 1940s. The bib necklace, with its focus on a central front design, exemplified this trend.
In addition to plastic, other materials used in 1940s costume jewellery included wood, shell, glass, and fabric. The designs often featured patriotic symbols, flowers, bows, and whimsical animals. The jewellery was worn to decorate dresses, hats, belts, and shoes, adding a pop of colour and a touch of novelty to otherwise plain and masculine clothing.
Overall, the 1940s saw a shift towards larger and more statement jewellery pieces, with plastic playing a significant role in this trend, especially in the creation of popular bib necklaces.
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Bangles were fashionable in the 1940s, often made from colourful plastic
The two most popular styles of bracelets in the '40s were identification bracelets and charm bracelets. ID bracelets were made of a thin metal chain with a flat rectangle or oval attached, usually in gold and with the wearer's name engraved in cursive. Charm bracelets, meanwhile, featured charms that reflected the wearer's personality and interests, such as flowers, animals, lucky horseshoes, and clovers.
However, bangles also enjoyed a surge in popularity during the late 1930s and into the 1940s. Women would adorn their arms with stacks of various thick bangles made from colourful plastic, wood, or gold. This trend was part of a broader shift towards new, cheaper materials in jewellery production, such as wood, shell, glass, plastic, and fabric.
Indeed, plastic jewellery was widely available in the 1940s. Early plastics had started to grow in popularity at the start of the 20th century, with celluloid—a plastic derived from plant cells—used in jewellery production as early as the late 1800s. By the 1940s, the most popular plastic was Bakelite, known for its bright colours and low price point. Other plastics used in jewellery in the 1940s included Catalin, Lucite, and Plexiglas.
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Frequently asked questions
Bakelite, celluloid, and Lucite were the most common plastics used in jewellery design in the 1940s. However, there were also other types of plastics used, such as Catalin and acrylic resin.
Plastic jewellery in the 1940s was characterised by bold, elaborate styles with an emphasis on volume, size, and colour. Brooches, necklaces, and bangles were popular, often featuring floral, abstract, or whimsical motifs.
The onset of World War II led to precious metals like platinum and gemstones being requisitioned for military use, so jewellers turned to more abundant materials such as plastic, wood, shell, glass, and fabric. The bright colours and low price point of plastic jewellery also added to its popularity.
