Convertible jewellery has been popular throughout the ages. During the Edwardian period pieces of jewellery had multiple uses so could be worn for many different purposes. Brooches could be worn as pendants, rings could become pairs of stud earrings, necklaces could become: tiaras and earrings and rings could be worn as pendants. The possibilities were endless and the skill and craftsmanship to create these changing pieces was incredible.
Many items had handmade intricate mechanisms and tools to transform the items into their new forms. Miniature screws could be removed or added and fastenings could be unclipped or folded away so they were not visible. Some of our most famous jewellers of today got their inspiration from the convertible antique pieces. Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels and Graff embraced the art of transformable jewellery and incorporated it into their jewellery. Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery has included some incredible transformable pieces throughout its history. One of the most notable pieces is the Zip necklace. It was suggested by the Duchess of Windsor and can be worn as a bracelet or a necklace, long or short.
During the Art Deco period convertible jewels were an economic way of creating multiple looks out of a single piece of jewellery. The concept of night and day was very popular and jewellery could be changed from something very simple such as a pair of diamond stud earrings to long diamond articulated earrings for the night time. Diamond brooches could become two separate clips that were worn on a dress or jacket collar. The jewellery had amazing versatility and exceptional jewellery makers had to design a way to make the jewellery transformable but also beautiful.
Here at Berganza we have many dynamic pieces of jewellery in our collection. We have one of the largest collections of antique, vintage and ancient jewellery in Europe. Come in and visit us at the shop and learn more about the wonderful forms and inventive mechanisms the craftsman created to make these rare convertible pieces.
