Mid-Century & Retro Jewellery

The Mid-Century and Retro eras marked a dramatic shift in jewellery design — from wartime ingenuity to post-war glamour. Between the 1940s and 1960s, bold sculptural forms, yellow and rose gold, and statement gemstones became hallmarks of a new aesthetic that celebrated confidence and creativity.

During the 1940s, jewellers created powerful “Tank” designs inspired by military forms — chunky gold bracelets, geometric brooches and oversized rings reflecting strength and resilience. By the 1950s and early 1960s, style evolved into what we now call Mid-Century Modern — elegant yet playful, featuring textured gold, stylised florals, and vibrant gemstones such as aquamarine, citrine and ruby.

Our collection of Mid-Century and Retro jewellery captures the spirit of this golden age — from cocktail rings to sculptural bangles, earrings and brooches. Each piece is personally curated by gemmologist Zuleika Gerrish FGA DGA, authenticated, and presented in our signature Parkin & Gerrish pink-and-green box. Complimentary insured worldwide delivery ensures these iconic designs continue to shine.

1️⃣ What defines Retro and Mid-Century jewellery?
Retro jewellery (c. 1940–1950) is defined by bold, voluminous gold designs and architectural lines inspired by wartime machinery. Mid-Century pieces (1950s–1960s) evolved toward sleeker, more modern forms with colourful gemstones and playful textures.

2️⃣ What are “Tank” designs?
The term Tank jewellery refers to the strong, geometric pieces made during the 1940s, echoing the shape and power of military tanks. Wide gold bracelets, stepped rings and bold brooches reflected both resilience and glamour in an era of scarcity and ingenuity.

3️⃣ What materials and gemstones were popular in this period?
Designers favoured rich yellow and rose gold, often accented with rubies, sapphires, aquamarines and citrines. Diamonds were used sparingly, while sculptural metalwork and texture became the true stars of the design.