Ethan Clarke
Large plastic jewelry rings have been popular at various points throughout history, with trends often re-emerging as new throwback trends. The use of plastic in jewelry dates back to around 1875 when it was used to imitate natural materials like tortoiseshell, coral, and ivory. In the 1920s, celluloid, an early form of plastic, was used in bangle bracelets and other jewelry items. Bakelite, another early plastic, became widely used in jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s, with colorful designs and simulated pearls. In the 1940s, plastic jewelry was popular, with large faux pearls and statement rings featuring colorful gemstones. More recently, resin and plastic rings have become popular again, especially on TikTok, with celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid embracing the trend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First use of plastic in jewellery | Around 1875 |
| Plastic used in jewellery in the 1920s | Celluloid was used in bangle bracelets studded with rhinestones |
| Plastic used in jewellery in the 1940s | Bakelite, fruits, flowers, gold-plated, bib necklaces, bangles and pearls |
| Plastic ring trend in 2022 | Driven by TikTok, featuring colourful, playful, and child-like designs |
| Celebrities driving the trend | Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic jewellery's history
Plastic jewellery has a long history, with the earliest forms of plastic jewellery-making materials dating back to the 1840s. However, it wasn't until the second half of the 19th century that plastic jewellery gained popularity. John Wesley Hyatt patented his cellulose nitrate and camphor concoction under the name Celluloid, which could be coloured, etched, and made opaque. While it was originally intended as a replacement for ivory in billiard balls, it soon found its way into the world of jewellery-making due to its versatility.
In the early 1900s, new types of plastic were developed, including Casein plastic, patented in 1897, and Bakelite, patented in 1907. Bakelite, a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde heated under high pressure, became the preferred plastic for jewellery makers and artists due to its durability, range of colours, and lightweight qualities. Its popularity spread across Europe and America, with each region developing its own unique style. European plastic jewellery, particularly in France, tended towards more subdued and elegant designs, incorporating geometric Art Deco motifs inspired by Egyptian, African, and Aztec cultures. German designers, on the other hand, were influenced by the austere Bauhaus aesthetic. They often combined Bakelite with wood or metal, creating articulated hinged bracelets that evoked the grills of their beloved motor cars and radios.
By the 1920s, Bakelite jewellery could be found in a wide range of colours, and its pearls were even favoured over real ones due to their durability and lightweight qualities. The Catalin Corporation, founded in 1927, introduced 15 new colours to the market and became famous for their Art Deco style radios. During this time, plastic jewellery took off globally, with American pieces known for their playful and colourful designs, featuring bright and jazzy bangles with polka dots, laminated stripes, and cute animal, bird, or flower motifs.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of plastic jewellery, particularly resin and lucite rings, driven by social media platforms like TikTok. Users have been stacking colourful, oversized plastic rings on their fingers, often piling on several at once. This trend has also been propelled by celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid, who have been spotted sporting statement resin rings. With the rise of DIY culture, Gen Zers have also been making and selling their own handmade resin and lucite rings on platforms like Etsy, Depop, and Instagram.
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Bakelite, celluloid, and vintage plastic
Plastic jewellery has been popular at various points throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, with its usage and design evolving over time. Bakelite, celluloid, and vintage plastic are three types of plastic that have been used in jewellery making, each with its own unique characteristics and history.
Bakelite, patented by Leo Baekeland in 1907, is a thermoset plastic known for its durability and versatility. Early forms of Bakelite were limited to dark shades of brown, red, blue, green, and black. However, by the end of the 1920s, a wider range of colours became available, and its durability and lightweight qualities made it a favourite among jewellery makers and artists. Bakelite jewellery often featured bright and playful designs, such as polka dots, laminated stripes, and cute animal motifs. Today, Bakelite jewellery is highly collectible, with large carved bangles and rare geometric designs being the most sought-after pieces.
Celluloid, on the other hand, is a thermoplastic that can be heated and softened multiple times, allowing it to be returned to a mouldable state. While it was first developed in the 1840s, celluloid gained popularity in jewellery manufacturing in the latter half of the century when John Wesley Hyatt patented his cellulose nitrate and camphor concoction. Celluloid jewellery could be coloured, etched, and made opaque, making it a versatile material for designers. Celluloid jewellery often featured curving or twisted designs that were not possible with Bakelite. It is also often cheaper than Bakelite, making it a good option for those starting their vintage plastic jewellery collection.
Vintage plastic jewellery, including both Bakelite and celluloid pieces, is desirable today because it evokes a sense of playfulness and creativity in design. The colours, motifs, and bold styles of vintage plastic jewellery remind us of a time when jewellery designers experimented with new materials and techniques. In addition to Bakelite and celluloid, other types of plastic such as casein and acrylic have also been used in jewellery making. Acrylic, for example, became popular in the 1930s in Germany for its crystal-clear translucency and ease of colouring and moulding.
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Resin rings on TikTok
Resin rings have become a popular accessory on TikTok, with the hashtag #resinrings accumulating over 5.6 million views. The trend features colourful, playful, and somewhat child-like rings made from lucite, a type of acrylic resin. These rings often feature decorative baubles like gemstones and come in various shapes and sizes. Users on the platform have embraced the trend, with many creating their own DIY resin rings or purchasing them from small businesses on platforms like Etsy, Depop, and Instagram.
The popularity of resin rings on TikTok can be attributed to their affordability and accessibility, filling a gap in the market for affordable yet stylish jewellery. The trend has also been popularised by celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid, who have been spotted sporting statement resin rings. The rise of resin rings on TikTok reflects a broader interest in plastic rings, with searches for "resin rings" on global shopping platforms like Lyst increasing by 28% month-on-month in 2021.
While the resin ring trend may seem new, resin and plastic jewellery has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. Acrylic plastic, for instance, was first developed in 1901 but wasn't used in jewellery until the 1930s in Germany. In the 1920s, Bakelite, another type of plastic, gained popularity for its range of colours, hardness, and luster, rivaling semi-precious jewels. By the 1940s, acrylic resin jewellery, specifically Lucite, became popular for its crystal-clear translucency and ease of colouring and moulding.
Today, resin rings on TikTok are often sourced from small businesses and handmade by teens and young adults looking to offer affordable alternatives to luxury jewellery. This trend aligns with the platform's reputation for fostering creativity and DIY culture, empowering young people to take matters into their own hands and create the content and products they want to see.
The resin ring trend showcases the influence of TikTok in shaping fashion and accessory trends. It also highlights the platform's ability to revive and popularise throwback trends, such as resin and plastic jewellery, by providing a space for users to share their unique styles and inspire each other.
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Celebrities wearing statement rings
Plastic rings have become a popular accessory, especially among Gen Z, thanks to TikTok trends. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid have been sporting plastic rings, propelling the statement ring trend beyond the platform.
TikTok users have been buying plastic rings from Etsy shops run by teens, such as @queenslairbykatie, as well as from Instagram and Depop. The trend seems to be inspired by the colourful plastic rings that many kids return from summer camp with. These rings are often piled on, with multiple rings of different colours and shapes worn together.
While plastic rings are having a moment, celebrity culture has long been associated with expensive and extravagant jewellery. From antique and vintage pieces to modern designs, celebrities have been known to wear rare diamonds, historical artefacts, and stunning stones on red carpets and premieres.
Michelle Yeoh, for example, wore her own personal emerald ring, which also played a significant role in her movie Crazy Rich Asians. Lady Gaga wore the iconic 128.54-carat yellow Tiffany diamond to the 2019 Oscars, the same diamond worn by Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany's publicity shoots. Mariah Carey received one of the largest celebrity engagement rings ever seen: a 35-carat emerald-cut diamond ring from her fiancé James Packer.
Some celebrities have also been known to wear plastic rings. For instance, Rita, a London pop star, rarely leaves her house without a ring on her finger, often sporting several vintage rings from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
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1940s jewellery styles
The 1940s marked a significant shift in jewellery styles, influenced by the ongoing World War II and the transition from the Great Depression. The jewellery of this era reflected a fusion of charm and glamour, with bold and expressive styles that added a spark of light during a dark period in history. Here are some notable trends that characterised 1940s jewellery:
Vibrant and Colourful:
The 1940s witnessed a resurgence of colour in jewellery design. With the advent of colour in fashion magazines, readers were treated to vibrant hues and imaginative designs. This trend extended to jewellery, with bright and colourful pieces becoming popular. Hollywood actresses, gracing the pages of these magazines, often sported vintage Art Deco jewellery or cheaper costume jewellery designed in America, further influencing the trend.
Statement Pieces:
The 1940s were characterised by bold and oversized statement jewellery. Chunky bracelets, large cocktail rings, and elaborate brooches adorned lapels and wrists. These pieces were not merely accessories but expressions of confidence and glamour, even amidst the challenges of wartime. The influence of Hollywood's Golden Age, with icons like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner, encouraged women to embrace bold and glamorous styles.
Novelty Jewellery:
Novelty jewellery, often featuring bright colours and unique designs, was popular in the 1940s. This trend included pieces like bead necklaces, bangles, novelty brooches, flower themes, and charm bracelets. These playful designs added a touch of whimsy and creativity to women's ensembles.
Watches:
The 1940s experienced a revival of lapel watches, also known as pendant watches, which had been popular during the Victorian age. These watches were part jewellery and part utility, often featuring small silver square or round faces set in yellow, white, or rose gold cases. Wristwatches were also common, with silk cord bands in black, yellow, or pink to match the gold cases.
Diamond Engagement Rings:
The 1940s marked a significant milestone in the history of diamond engagement rings. De Beers, a British-owned diamond company, launched a groundbreaking advertising campaign with the slogan, "A diamond is forever." This campaign catapulted diamond engagement rings to new heights of popularity, with their timeless appeal resonating with the era's romantic sensibilities.
While large plastic jewellery rings were not specifically mentioned in the context of the 1940s, it is worth noting that plastic jewellery, including Bakelite and celluloid, gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s for its playfulness and colourful designs. However, the 1940s saw a shift towards more streamlined and refined styles, and the influence of wartime economics on jewellery designs.
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Frequently asked questions
Large plastic jewelry rings became popular in the 1920s, with the rise of Bakelite jewelry.
Bakelite, also known as Catalin, is a phenol-formaldehyde resin invented in 1908 by Leo H. Baekeland. It was first used in jewelry in the 1920s, offering a range of colors and designs that rivalled semi-precious jewels.
Other materials used in large plastic rings include celluloid, acrylic, and lucite. Celluloid was first used in jewelry in the late 19th century, while acrylic and lucite became popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Large plastic jewelry rings have made a comeback in recent years, especially among Gen Z and celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, thanks to social media platforms like TikTok.
