Different countries have directly influenced jewelry and even how it is worn. Let's take a look at the top three countries that have impacted the jewelry industry.

France: In Paris in the 1920s Art deco came about. It is an eclectic design and artistic style that since the beginning has flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, and into the era of World War II. This dramatic style influenced most of the design industry, including fashion and jewelry, architecture, industrial design, interior design, visual arts, painting, graphic arts and even the film industry. The phrase 'art deco' was first used after an exhibition in Paris in 1926 called 'Les Ann?es 25' sub-titled Art Deco; it was in celebration of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts that was the pinnacle of modern style in Paris. Art deco basically represented elegance, glamour, functionality and modernity.

Art deco's and its symmetry was a total opposite of the flowing asymmetrical curves that had been seen by the predecessor style of the art nouveau. Nouveau in its day expressed the different influences that the styles of the early twentieth century, like constructivism, neoclassical, cubism, modernism and futurism and then took inspiration from ancient Egyptian and Aztec shapes and put them all together. Unlike other forms of art, art deco is basically decorative. 

Art deco especially in Architecture has survived in many different locations worldwide, but we see it especially in the United States. Three very famous buildings showcase this styling. In New York, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building are some of the largest and well-known examples.

Italy: Italy is well-known for its elaborate yellow gold jewelry and classical design styles. Because of the tradition and beauty associated with gold from Italy it is called a 'The powerhouse in the European jewelry industry.' Jewelry from this part of the nation is always highly praised. You should know the physical attributes that consist of Italian jewelry. Most of the jewelry found in Italy is sold as 18 karat gold or higher. Since gold quality is measured in karats, an 18K gold piece has a European marking of 785and a piece of 24K has a marking of 999 or 1,000, indicating that it is 100 percent pure gold. Since the jewelry in Italy may have the marking numbers, instead of karat weight, it is good to know how karats correspond to markings. 

Africa: For many different tribes native to the continent, African Jewelry making has always been an art form. In African jewelry, each piece represents a different part of religion, spiritual, cultural, or artistic beliefs of the people. Many modern jewelry styles that are made around the world, can trace its roots back to ancient Africa. Beads have been found by archaeologists on the African continent that date back tens of thousands of years. Things like eggs were used to make those beads. African beads are said to be the earliest forms of jewelry in the world.

For centuries natural metals including copper, bronze and gold have been used in the making of African jewelry. Also precious and semi-precious stones like turquoise, sapphires and rubies were used by Artisans native to the continent. These pieces that had been beautifully hand embellished with precious stones or ivory were usually owned by royalty. African jewelry showcases a wide variety of styles such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings and crowns. The woman and child themed jewelry is still a common theme seen from the ancient Africans to now.