Sentimental Jewelry from Alter's Gem[/caption]
These pieces were ways for women to connect with their loved ones when they were far away fighting the war. Pins and pendants were especially beloved, sitting close to the heart. They also served the purpose of pushing forward the nationalist agenda the United States of America was embracing as a means of getting the entire country to participate in what was deemed to be a righteous war.
Some sweetheart jewelry pieces were handmade by soldiers themselves while they were abroad. Most of it, however, had roots in the United States of America. Soldiers would often purchase these pieces in order to send them home.
The materials used for sweetheart style jewelry was mostly, if not exclusively, all non-essentials. There were rations on precious metals that were so severe that men who were not actively fighting would be found collecting scrap metal, which would then be melted down and used to construct weapons. Cheap and readily available semi-precious materials were used in the construction of these pieces, although there are rare instances of diamond encrusted frames and other expensive adornments. This was not the norm, however, and represents an exception to the rule as opposed to what was common at the time.
Maybe you have heard about how popular it was during World War II to keep a locket of a loved one’s hair in a locket. This is one of the ways the sweetheart tradition became more prevalent and modernized during the World War II. The ritual endured, although the ways in which jewelry was purchased, made and worn changed according to the availability of materials and common fashion of the time.
Collectors continue to value pieces like these very highly, attending auctions and antique shows as a way of finding valid, authentic pieces in person, and, fascinatingly enough, many United States families still have mementos from this riveting chapter of our nation’s history.Sweetheart Jewelry
Fine jewelry has long had a place as symbolic sentimental pieces, not just ornamental fashion decorations. The era of “sweetheart” jewelry perfectly encapsulates this idea. During World War I, many young U.S. servicemen participated in this tradition of sending jewelry pieces back home to the women in their lives – whether they were their mothers, girlfriends, sisters, wives, grandmothers, etc. This practice is still documented and studied to this day, and continues to lend academic insight to the study of World War I and post-World War I American culture.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sentimental Jewelry from Alter's Gem[/caption]
These pieces were ways for women to connect with their loved ones when they were far away fighting the war. Pins and pendants were especially beloved, sitting close to the heart. They also served the purpose of pushing forward the nationalist agenda the United States of America was embracing as a means of getting the entire country to participate in what was deemed to be a righteous war.
Some sweetheart jewelry pieces were handmade by soldiers themselves while they were abroad. Most of it, however, had roots in the United States of America. Soldiers would often purchase these pieces in order to send them home.
The materials used for sweetheart style jewelry was mostly, if not exclusively, all non-essentials. There were rations on precious metals that were so severe that men who were not actively fighting would be found collecting scrap metal, which would then be melted down and used to construct weapons. Cheap and readily available semi-precious materials were used in the construction of these pieces, although there are rare instances of diamond encrusted frames and other expensive adornments. This was not the norm, however, and represents an exception to the rule as opposed to what was common at the time.
Maybe you have heard about how popular it was during World War II to keep a locket of a loved one’s hair in a locket. This is one of the ways the sweetheart tradition became more prevalent and modernized during the World War II. The ritual endured, although the ways in which jewelry was purchased, made and worn changed according to the availability of materials and common fashion of the time.
Collectors continue to value pieces like these very highly, attending auctions and antique shows as a way of finding valid, authentic pieces in person, and, fascinatingly enough, many United States families still have mementos from this riveting chapter of our nation’s history.
Sentimental Jewelry from Alter's Gem[/caption]
These pieces were ways for women to connect with their loved ones when they were far away fighting the war. Pins and pendants were especially beloved, sitting close to the heart. They also served the purpose of pushing forward the nationalist agenda the United States of America was embracing as a means of getting the entire country to participate in what was deemed to be a righteous war.
Some sweetheart jewelry pieces were handmade by soldiers themselves while they were abroad. Most of it, however, had roots in the United States of America. Soldiers would often purchase these pieces in order to send them home.
The materials used for sweetheart style jewelry was mostly, if not exclusively, all non-essentials. There were rations on precious metals that were so severe that men who were not actively fighting would be found collecting scrap metal, which would then be melted down and used to construct weapons. Cheap and readily available semi-precious materials were used in the construction of these pieces, although there are rare instances of diamond encrusted frames and other expensive adornments. This was not the norm, however, and represents an exception to the rule as opposed to what was common at the time.
Maybe you have heard about how popular it was during World War II to keep a locket of a loved one’s hair in a locket. This is one of the ways the sweetheart tradition became more prevalent and modernized during the World War II. The ritual endured, although the ways in which jewelry was purchased, made and worn changed according to the availability of materials and common fashion of the time.
Collectors continue to value pieces like these very highly, attending auctions and antique shows as a way of finding valid, authentic pieces in person, and, fascinatingly enough, many United States families still have mementos from this riveting chapter of our nation’s history.