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REEL-TO-REAL APPEAL Popular period dramas offer a glittering display of antique jewelry that is enticing new audiences to buy and collect. By Phyllis Schiller
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hen Bridgerton came out on Netflix in 2020, it joined the ranks of period dramas that have piqued the public’s interest in fabulous jewels from historical eras. “Period dramas are wonderful for their ability to introduce future collectors to the world of antique and vintage jewelry,” states Suzanne Martinez, co-owner of Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry in San Francisco, California. “They add to the mystique of antique pieces because they help the client visualize a historical context: the jewelry and the types of people who would have worn them. After all, that is one of the most alluring parts of collecting antique and vintage jewelry — imagining all the stories that a piece was part of before it came to you.” A series of fortunate events The various TV series, she says, help introduce current collectors to historical periods through the lens of jewelry. Bridgerton “inspired a curiosity in Georgian Regency-period jewelry — swag- and rivière-style necklaces and playful and pastel colors, particularly the signature light blue of the Bridgerton family, which closely resembles aquamarine.” Downton Abbey spotlighted “long layered Art Deco necklaces, statement bracelets, and bandeau headpieces,” while The Crown moved from “large stately necklaces, brooches and tiaras to Princess Diana’s iconic
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sapphire engagement ring, pearl chokers, and 1980s statement earrings.” And of course, these shows all featured tiaras, an evergreen topic of conversation for new collectors. Estate dealer Catherine Thies has also noticed an increase in the popularity of antique jewelry, and she, too, attributes it in part to period dramas; they “add a touch of old-word romance,” says the co-owner of Filigree Jewelers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And with the greater exposure to the fine craftsmanship on display, she has seen “a younger demographic take interest, which has been delightful and aligns with that particular generation’s sustainability values.” Lisa Stockhammer-Mial, owner of online retailer The Three Graces, agrees that “while it is hard to measure direct impact, any focus on period dramas and their associated fashion and jewelry always boosts awareness and seeps into the consciousness of those who are shopping and seeking a look or mood.” Styles from the screen Among her own clients, Stockhammer-Mial has found that “period dramas can help reinforce the focus on two of the most popular jewelry periods: Edwardian and Art Deco. Their timelessness and quality resonate with many of our customers. Witnessing the elegance and soulfulness of jewelry through these series only highlights what