It was clear from the beginning of the decade that times were about to change. The kids of the sixties didn’t ease into it, they kicked the door open. Youth culture took control, rules were rewritten, and tradition quickly lost its grip. The space race, pop art, and a new kind of self-expression reshaped everything, including how jewellery was worn.
To accompany this shift, design loosened up. It became graphic, bold, and a little rebellious. Clean lines replaced fuss, colour replaced convention, and jewellery stopped trying to behave. Pieces turned sculptural, almost futuristic, with domed silhouettes, sharp geometry, and unexpected textures. Diamonds were still in the mix, but no longer the main event. Enamel, onyx, and rock crystal brought contrast, punch, and a sense of play.
A myriad of subcultures began to emerge. Mods favoured sharp, polished minimalism, while hippies rejected structure entirely, embracing natural materials and a freer, more intuitive aesthetic. Preppy style held onto a sense of tradition, but with a lighter, more youthful ease. By the end of the decade, early punk attitudes were beginning to surface, bringing a raw, anti-establishment edge that would fully erupt in the years to follow.
