During the war years, precious metals were not only in short supply but in some cases forbidden for sale. People who didn’t settle for remodelling their existing jewels had to supply their own metal and, in countries like France, part of it would be taken for military use. The now off-limits platinum was sparingly replaced with palladium, while gold was mixed with alloys to make the most out of its limited quantity. That’s why so much 1940s jewellery was made with green and rose gold or sterling silver, as well as thinner sheets of gold, often backed by base metal.
And for those of modest means, costume jewellery offered the most value for money. Alternative, inexpensive materials like wood, ceramic, leather, natural shells, Lucite, and colourful plastics were used to create quality, affordable, and eye-catching designs. Bakelite was especially popular in the chunky 1930s jewellery styles and was made into all kinds of shapes, either set with rhinestones, carved on a lathe, or laminated with polka dot motifs.