Editors

All About #GeorgianJanuary

EditorsJan 17, 2018

All About #GeorgianJanuary

The social media trend has become a favorite among antique jewelry dealers.

201801116_GeorgianJanuary-1header.jpg
A Georgian-era ring from antiques dealer The Moonstoned

Recently, a hashtag on my Instagram feed caught my eye: #GeorgianJanuary.

It was popping up underneath posts of rings and brooches from some of my favorite antique jewelry accounts, like @TheMoonstoned, @MaeJeanVintage, @lady_lovelies_curio and @elizabethroseantiques.

The hashtag was coined by @dames_a_la_mode—IRL, Taylor Shelby—owner of Washington D.C.-based Dames a la Mode, a company that creates Georgian-style costume jewelry for “historical costumers, re-enactors, museums, movies and film,” Shelby said.

Shelby is an excellent historical costumer herself, and created her Instagram in 2015 to share not only her costume jewelry, but also her historical costuming projects and inspiration images from different periods.

In 2016 she launched #GeorgianJanuary, a daily challenge in which she asked her Instagram community to post images pertaining to the Georgian era that fit a different theme, one for each day of the month.

“They can be really specific,” Shelby explained, “like ‘necklace’ or really broad like ‘inside.’”

The themes are open to any aspect of Georgian life but many are a particularly good fit for jewelry, such as “blues” and “pastels,” and are embraced by antique aficionados and dealers.

Currently in its third year, the #GeorgianJanuary hashtag currently is linked to more than 7,500 posts.

“I love the Georgian Era and spend a lot of time doing research on the jewelry, costumes and general history from that time period,” said Shelby of her initial inclination to start the hashtag and challenge. “I wanted a way to find others out there in Instagram-land who felt the same. January is always such a bleak time for me because all of the fun of the holidays are over, so I thought it would be a great time of year to spend looking at pretty things.”

Elizabeth Potts, creator of online and New York City by-private-appointment antique jewelry company The Moonstoned, appreciates the camaraderie of the hashtag.

“We are all nerds, critics, historians, preservers and torch-bearers to bring awareness to the beauty of heirlooms,” she said of the antique jewelry community. “In a time where so much jewelry is mass-produced and bought without thought, I hope that #GeorgianJanuary makes people think a little more about their jewelry and what it means to hold onto something that could generate feelings and memories for another 300-plus years.”

Potts counts the Georgian era as one of her favorites for jewelry because of its “sentimentality and incredible level of detail,” noting the prevalence of

mourning jewelry, which often features enamel, symbols and the hair of the deceased.



Elizabeth Rose of Elizabeth Rose Antiques, which sells both online on RubyLane.com and at a stand at the Grays Antiques Market in London, also remarked on the emotional aspect of jewelry that exemplifies the Georgian period.

Beyond mourning jewelry, she said that themes centered on love and jewelry that functioned as keepsakes and love tokens were extremely popular. These include cameos and portrait rings and brooches, as well as acrostic jewelry, jewelry that spells out messages according to the first letter of a particular gemstone (the most famous example of this is a “Dear” ring, featuring a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby.)

Potts said that the use of closed-back settings for diamonds and gemstones is a technical hallmark of the period. “Diamonds, garnets, agates and other gemstones were often placed in their settings with a thin piece of metal or ‘foil’ backing it to help the light reflect through the stone,” she said. “Open settings weren’t really used quite yet. Over time, the backings have mostly oxidized to create this really breathtaking, moody look to the diamonds.”

Rose added that "paste diamonds" (hand-cut glass) and gemstones, particularly in rivière necklaces and girandole earrings, old-cut and rose-cut diamonds, flat-cut garnets, pearls, imperial and pink topaz, and coral were all frequently utilized.



“We see absolutely top-of-the-top craftsmanship with very finely handmade pieces of art,” she said.

Several dealers with whom I spoke via phone and e-mail referenced the quality of Georgian jewelry, particularly the pieces in fine condition today.

Potts explained, “These pieces were all painstakingly made by expert hands without power tools, without electricity, without stores where you can order bits and pieces. Just think about that for a second before you look Georgian jewelry up. They are absolutely achingly beautiful works of art.”

The #GeorgianJanuary hashtag succeeded in converting this Instagram-user to a devotee of the era, at least in terms of jewelry. As February tends to rival January in dullness, might I suggest @Dames_a_la_Mode make #VictorianFebruary a thing?
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Peter Smith National Jeweler columnist
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-Reflection

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

Gemfields rough emeralds
FinancialsOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

gia-edu main image.png
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Online education from GIA experts.

Pandora executives Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Gavel near stacks of books
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store Scam

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell John Hardy Lovestruck Collection
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John Hardy

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

reDollar-fine-jewelry-department.jpg
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment Program

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Spinelli Kilcollin Market Highland Park
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in Dallas

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.

Nina Pugliese Henne Jewelers
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65

She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.

Kwait White and Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear Focus

Move over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.

Mark Henry Leandra Medine Cohen
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in Canada

The New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

Overnight volume 7 bridal catalog
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal Catalog

The “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard Says

Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.

Austin Shines Jewelry Award
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced

Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.

Kwit Square Signet Pinky Ring in Red and Azure
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky Ring

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

Jewelers of America Fly In
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-In

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Entrance to Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.

Kira Jewels Growing Rowing Machines
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond Production

The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

Alex Moss SoHo store
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHo

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

Matthew Wilson, Kavin Kulamavalava, and a Elmasolvex VA
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New York

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

Representatives of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and Indian government leaders
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into Disarray

The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

Father’s Day diamond advertisement that ran in India
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in India

De Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.

Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term Worries

They are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.

Guest lecture for people with disabilities at the Jewelex factory
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the Industry

Jewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Estate Capsule Campaign
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate Collection

The collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.

Marcus ter Haar
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-Elect

He previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy