As the Fourth of July approaches and the United States readies for its 250th birthday celebration, thoughts turn to red, white and blue along with what to wear to the barbecue. One easy way to nod to the patriotic holiday is through the jewelry that you choose to wear. Traditionally, eagles, military motifs and flags are all associated with Americana and holidays celebrating the nation, but you can get into the spirit of things with diamond, ruby and sapphire jewelry from any era.
The Tank Bracelet
We often look back to World War II and the 1940s for patriotic jewelry and one style that is particularly definitive of that time: The tank bracelet. Bold and modern, the tank bracelet was a creative interpretation of tank tire tread marks that were left in the ground as these massive machines rolled through the dirt. Tank bracelets are sculptural, three-dimensional and often have components inspired by factory assembly lines and industrial elements.
Tank bracelets are just as chic today as when they were first created in the 1940s, harmonizing beautifully with today’s fashions. You can easily wear a tank bracelet with prints as its voluptuous size and compelling design stand out next to patterned apparel, think jungle leopard or colorful ginghams, both trending this summer. And in warm weather, worn on a bare arm, the tank bracelet is strong and sensual. It’s also very chic to wear it over the top of a sweater sleeve in cooler weather.
You’ll often find tank bracelets — and other 1940s jewelry — in pink gold. That’s because it was hard to get precious metals during the war years so gold was alloyed with copper to make it go further, giving it a soft, warm, rosy glow that is flattering to all skin types. If you don’t have any other pink gold jewelry, no worries, it’s very stylish to wear yellow, white and pink gold at the same time. Wear pink and white gold together for a cool, contemporary feel, wear pink gold with yellow gold for a warmer, more vintage vibe, or wear all three together for pure sophistication.
The Heart as Patriotic Jewelry
Hearts, a universal symbol of love, were an important motif in patriotic jewelry of the 1940s. The heart symbolized love, both romantic and family, hope, unity and patriotism. Hearts are very sentimental and wearing one, especially as a locket, during the war years was a way of keeping a loved one close. Hearts were commonly used as a design element in “sweetheart jewelry”, which was a style of jewelry produced mainly during World War II that was given to girlfriends or spouses by those going into active military duty. Sweetheart jewelry was made from many types of material, often not precious, and while they could be purchased, these pieces were sometimes homemade, almost always featuring a heart in the design.
Today, hearts are still a beloved motif. You may find a beautiful heart shaped locket, or brooch, to wear to your Fourth of July gathering as a way to honor a family member or friend who may be in the armed forces and of course, the lovely keepsake can be worn anytime as a tribute to your loved one who is serving our country. While lockets are generally worn as a necklace, you may also dangle it from a bracelet as a charm, a fun and unexpected way to wear your locket.
Red, White and Blue
Of course, the most easily identifiable patriotic jewelry is going to highlight red, white and blue, usually through diamonds, rubies and sapphires, but enamel can also provide the color. If you want to instantly add a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism and Americana, then this is the right look for you and you’ll find it as earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets and rings.
You may already have a ring with rubies, diamonds and sapphires. It can be one ring, or if you have multiple rings maybe one is ruby and diamond and the other is sapphire and diamond, if so, wear them together. Stack the rings on one finger, wear them on fingers next to each other on the same hand, or wear rings on each hand. You can do the same with bracelets or necklaces. It’s easy, subtle and perfect with blue jeans and a white t-shirt, which can also be the backdrop for wearing ruby jewelry, turning your everyday look into a holiday celebration.
As you can see, patriotic jewelry goes beyond the obvious flag and military motifs, instead it is jewelry imbued with sentimental meaning that can be worn not just for national holidays celebrating the country, but also every day for many years to come.
Top of Page: Retro diamond, ruby, sapphire and 18-karat rose gold necklace, French.
Retro 18-karat rose gold tank bracelet; Victorian pinchbeck necklace with engraved heart locket, England, circa 1875; Diamond, ruby, sapphire, 18-karat gold and platinum ring, signed Cartier, circa 1975.
Authored by Amber Michelle