The Renaissance began in Italy during the 1300's, it spread to England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and other countries during the 1400's and ending in the early 1600's. This movement was considered a rebirth of the ancient works of art, literature, and philosophy. The Europeans studied these three endeavors of ancient Greece and Rome following the great scholars and artists, becoming themselves great in continuing and even advancing these areas. This movement reached a height in the 1400's and the early 1500's when achievements had become some of the greatest in history. During the Renaissance jewelers achieved breakthroughs in shop tools, working areas, methods, and advanced techniques. Successful artists came from serving in strict apprenticeships or grew up working with family or close friends in the trade. Jewelry was in high demand during this period in history. In Florence, Italy there were over forty shops dedicated to producing the finest opal jewelry the world had yet ever seen. The style before the Renaissance was called Gothic which was thought to have expelled all of the possible works from it and had given in to the new more elaborate style.

1. Necklaces of the Renaissance Period
The Renaissance began in Italy during the 1300's, it spread to England, France, Germany,
the Netherlands, Spain, and other countries during the 1400's and ending in the early
1600's. This movement was considered a rebirth of the ancient works of art, literature, and
philosophy. The Europeans studied these three endeavors of ancient Greece and Rome
following the great scholars and artists, becoming themselves great in continuing and even
advancing these areas. This movement reached a height in the 1400's and the early 1500's
when achievements had become some of the greatest in history.
During the Renaissance jewelers achieved breakthroughs in shop tools, working areas,
methods, and advanced techniques. Successful artists came from serving in strict
apprenticeships or grew up working with family or close friends in the trade. Jewelry was in
high demand during this period in history. In Florence, Italy there were over forty shops
dedicated to producing the finest opal jewelry the world had yet ever seen. The style before
the Renaissance was called Gothic which was thought to have expelled all of the possible
works from it and had given in to the new more elaborate style.
During the end of the fifteenth century western Europe had become united in many ways
and artists freely traveled about expanding their craft. During this time of international
freedom, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Hungarian jewelers developed their style at
an equal pace. This made it difficult sometimes to distinguish from which country the jewelry
was made during the Renaissance period. Italy was considered one of the greatest at the
time for many forms of art including jewelry. Throughout Europe, Italian jewelers were
sought for their advanced techniques and amazing methods for extracting the finest detail.
The technique at the time was very disciplined and defined. The overall piece would often
have a central theme with incredible detail and precision. The designs would be incredible
stretches of the imagination, ships, galleons, mermaids, mermen, salamanders, sea horses,
and cupids would be laced with beautiful opal diamond ring and other precious gems.
Brooches, pendants, and ropes were sculpted from onyx, silver, gold and laced with pearls,
opals, and rubies. Necklaces were normally made to end part way around the neck with
looped ends and linking done with threading applied to backings in some cases. A necklace
with a pendant was called en suite. Portraits were carved with babies and angels, sculpted
with such fine detail as to the point of miraculous. Irregular pearls called baroque would be
set in a design that made their unusual shape flow and become a necessary part of the
piece. Diamonds were often fashioned into triangular chips embellishing the piece with
extraordinary beauty.
During this time gems were thought to contain special powers for the body, so these were
designed into the piece to touch the skin. Salamanders were said to represent passionate
love and cupids were often times given as gifts to enhance a special meeting. An interesting
note, Queen Elizabeth enjoyed animal jewels and had various ones in her collection
including greyhound, scorpion, turtledove, and dolphin.
Output of South German and Hungarian mines worked at a fevered pitch to meet the
massive demand for gold in this period. The Hungarian mines also produced opals and

2. precious stones which were also imported from the Oriental regions. Sea coral was used for
carving which came from off the shores of Italy.
In the making of the pieces casting was performed, many times in two or more sections or
portions. After casting, various pieces were put into different combinations bringing about
different designs. Opaque white enameling would be done with care as to not completely
cover all the metal. Carefully applying enamel to recessed areas with deep cuts or cells of
metal then sanding the metal down to the level of the enamel was called champleve'.
Adhesive used for precious gems was black wax. The wax was used if metal drawn over or
embracing the precious stone detracted from the overall design of what the artist envisioned.
There were a few methods used for making tiny sculptures. Some of these included wax
modeling which was accomplished then careful casting of the tiny art piece then melting out
the wax. Small sheet metal shaping and pressing was also done if the piece required it.
Opal Rings were the most popular, then pendants, and then necklaces. Pendants were
worn by men, women, and children. Men and children wore them around the neck. Women
wore them around the neck or pinned or tied with ribbon on the dress or sleeve.