See a Preview of the Vintage Jewelry Design Exhibition Coming Stateside
“Simply Brilliant: Artist-Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s” is headed to the Cincinnati Art Museum this fall.
Coming to the Cincinnati Art Museum this fall, “Simply Brilliant: Artist-Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s” explores the radical period in jewelry design that accompanied major shifts in society, marked by the civil rights movement, women’s movement, the space race, rock ‘n’ roll, hippie culture and the birth control pill.
Just as young people were breaking with the expectations laid by generations before them, a number of jewelry designers leaned into the freedom of their own unencumbered self-expression.
Values like non-conformity and individuality appear in these designers’ work.
The 120 pieces in the “Simply Brilliant” exhibition feature works from designers like Andrew Grima, Gilbert Albert, Arthur King, Jean Vendome, Barbara Anton, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Cartier.
Every piece is from the collection of Cincinnati jewelry lover Kimberly Klosterman, and curated by the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Chief Curator and Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles Cynthia Amnéus.
Amnéus remarked, “The jewelry in this exhibition is remarkable and examines a period in body adornment that is rarely explored or understood. You think about the rather prim jewelry of the 1950s, then suddenly these artist-jewelers are creating pieces that were big and bold.
“The work was overwhelmingly large, primarily gold and incorporated some very unusual materials. It was a new day. The times were changing and art, fashion, jewelry, all responded.”
Per the museum, the designers featured in Klosterman’s impressive personal collection considered themselves artists first and jewelry designers second. Their interest was in breaking away with fine jewelry norms, attracting a customer who appreciated standing out and being different from her counterparts.
Though every piece showcases its creator’s unique point-of-view, common visual themes are the use of yellow gold and large, abstracted shapes reminiscent of the Space Age.
Many designers experimented with unusual materials, incorporating coral, shells, geodes, and even elephant hair. Less expensive gemstones like lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye and moldavite feature more prominently than traditional diamonds, for example.
The exhibition’s accompanying catalogue, edited by Amnéus, puts the work into context, featuring designer or jewelry house biographies, essays from a number of scholars, full color images and details on certain pieces.
“Simply Brilliant” debuted last year in Antwerp, Belgium at the DIVA Museum for Diamonds, Jewellery and Silver, then traveled to Pforzheim, Germany’s Pforzheim Jewellery Museum.
It will finally make its hometown appearance at the Cincinnati Art Museum from Oct. 22 through Feb. 6.
The exhibition will be presented for free and will kick off with a member preview on Thursday, Oct. 21, featuring a lecture from Italian jewelry scholar Amanda Triossi.
The Latest
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
The emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
From Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
The 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
Offered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
The “Mikimoto Chrome Hearts” jewelry brings pearls from Mikimoto together with distinctive motifs from Chrome Hearts.
These earrings use flat-backed white quartz to create a window onto an antique ribbon embroidered with a floral design.
Plus, CEO Beth Gerstein shares her insight on the holiday season and the possibility of new tariffs.
The month’s birthstones, citrine and blue topaz, reflect the changing colors of the season.
The “Carey Lowell x Sidney Garber” collection stems from the friendship between the jewelry designer and ceramicist.
The two ads highlight diamond engagement rings and diamond studs with a straightforward approach.
In 2025, the nonprofit plans to continue its support of longstanding partners while also allocating some funds to a new initiative.
The Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.
The Danish jewelry company plans to open up to 150 concept stores this fiscal year.
The location will close by the end of the year due to it being financially unsustainable, GIA said.
The new campaign stars Sterling K. Brown, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Winnie Harlow, Kyle Kuzma, Arizona Muse, and Iris Law.
One lucky winner will receive a “Lizzie” diamond bracelet.
Samantha Larson has joined the Boston-based retailer.
Ten chosen designers will receive mentorship and participate in a design contest for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
Dana J. Lorberg brings 35 years of experience in finance, technology, and strategy to the role.