Mykonos Jewellery Tradition

The best part of Mykonos’s burgeoning jewellery scene is that you have the chance to buy high quality jewellery on a very moderate budget. There are numerous family owned jewellery shops in Mykonos town. Not many are aware of the fact that Greece including the island of Mykonos has jewellery history that dates back to 6000 years which itself is stupendous. However, the modern jewellery renaissance in Greece began with the launch of the renowned Thessaloniki International Trade Fair which was held in September 1957.

This particular trade fair was instrumental in the revival of Greece’s jewellery tradition. If we carefully look at the modern jewellery works of Greece, one thing that emerges crystal clear is the strong influence of tradition and culture. The expert Greek jewellery designers have incorporated cutting edge technology along with the traditional methods to produce truly world class ornaments.

The demand for Greek jewellery by the tourists to Mykonos started during the 1950s, as a result of which the industry revived. From the 1960’s, the demand began to take epic proportions and Greek jewellery gradually carved out a niche for itself in the competitive international market. The worldwide attention on both the ancient Greek jewellery tradition inclusive of handmade jewellery pieces was to a great extent was inspired by the return of Classicism in Europe and also by the unearthing of the magnificent Etruscan tombs in Italy way back in the year 1830.

Visitors to Greece which also includes the island of Mykonos began to demand for the imitation of jewelleries that were showcased in the various Museums spread all over Greece. This meant that most of the leading jewellery Boutique owners began employing skilled traditional craftsmen in order to meet the exacting demands of the discerning international visitors. Jewellery workshops were updated and the high quality of craftsmanship was preserved.

The industry was given a shot in the arm in the 1960s-70s with the launch of the Greek Handicraft Organisation, which played a pivotal role as far as promoting the cause of the jewellery industry in Greece is concerned. The organization conferred prizes and offered numerous scholarships for higher studies in the domain of jewellery designing which meant that many a bright artists and sculptors were able to considerably upgrade their skills and contributed immensely to the further development of Greece’s burgeoning jewellery industry.

With the entry of renowned artists and sculptors into the jewellery industry, this industry was bound to prosper. They revolutionized the industry with the use of new materials and designs. All this has meant that today in spite of the onslaught of modernism, the Greek jewellery has been able to carve a niche for itself as a distinct entity in the hugely competitive international market.