AURORA BOREALIS VINTAGE JEWELLERY

Popular in the late 1950s and first part of the 1960s, Aurora Borealis stones were used extensively by costume jewellery manufacturers to create jewels with glittering brilliance and sparkle. Named after the atmospheric phenomenon otherwise known as ‘the northern lights’, Aurora Borealis stones have a beautiful iridescent, rainbow effect that reflects the colours around it.

                   

                        1960s DeLizza and Elster for Sarah Coventry Vintage Brooch

This lustrous effect is due to a metallic chemical coating which was developed by the Austrian company Swarovski in 1956. They worked closely with Christian Dior who were the first to use Aurora Borealis coated stones in their jewellery designs. Other costume jewellery designers soon got on board, creating beautiful necklaces, brooches, bracelets, earrings and rings containing the popular crystals. This mass production of Aurora Borealis jewellery made it much more affordable and available to all budgets.

Often abbreviated to AB, Aurora Borealis vintage costume jewellery will always have been made after 1956. When cleaning or storing AB jewellery it is important to take extra care as the coating is delicate and can easily become scratched.