Jewellery Trends of the Past the Swinging 1960s

After the prim, ladylike styles of the 1950s, jewellery exploded into colour and boldness in the following decade. The 1960s was a time when skirts got shorter, music got louder and jewellery became brighter and more daring than ever. Understanding the look of the Swinging Sixties helps you spot genuine vintage pieces and draw inspiration for your own collection. This is the next instalment of our series on jewellery trends of the past, exploring the 1960s, with help from the antique specialists of Hatton Garden, London's diamond quarter.

The Bold Colour of the Swinging Sixties

The 1960s swept away the conservative costume styles of the previous decade in favour of daring colour and scale. Women embraced everything from chic monochrome to popping neon, and designs grew larger and far more eye-catching.

Plastic was one of the biggest winners of the era. Affordable and versatile, it replaced costlier materials such as gold and silver and allowed for chunky, playful pieces that could be stacked and layered with abandon.

This was jewellery as fun and fashion statement, a world away from the restrained pieces of the 1950s covered earlier in our 1950s jewellery trends.

Ethnic and Flower Power Influences

Alongside bold colour, the 1960s drew heavily on global influences. Ethnic jewellery inspired by Indian, Asian and Egyptian designs became hugely popular, reflecting the decade's fascination with far-flung cultures.

This trend grew naturally from the hippie and boho styles of the time, which is why so many pieces featured floral and natural motifs in tune with the flower power movement. Long pendants, beads and natural forms defined the look.

Even today, that free-spirited 1960s aesthetic resurfaces regularly in contemporary jewellery collections.

Fun fact: The 1960s also saw a boom in fine jewellery experimentation, with leading houses creating bold textured gold pieces inspired by the era's fascination with space travel and the moon landings.

Recreating the 1960s Look Today

The playful spirit of 1960s jewellery makes it a joy to wear now, whether you choose genuine vintage or a modern piece inspired by the era. Bold colour, chunky forms and natural motifs are the keys to the look.

Hatton Garden, with its blend of vintage and modern jewellers, is an ideal place to find pieces that capture the decade. The quarter's specialists can help you tell genuine 1960s items from later reproductions.

If the Swinging Sixties speak to you, visit the stores of Hatton Garden, and look out for the next instalment in our journey through jewellery trends of the past.

Browse the whole series: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.