Vintage costume jewelry pendant featuring an Aries ram zodiac design on porcelain with gold-tone beaded frame

This pendant represents the mid-20th century American costume jewelry tradition, when zodiac and astrological motifs became extremely popular in fashion accessories. Companies like Pakula specialized in creating affordable, decorative pieces featuring porcelain or glass cabochons with transfer-printed designs set in ornate gold-tone metal frames. The beaded edge treatment and chain-link style are characteristic of 1960s-1970s costume jewelry aesthetics. Zodiac jewelry experienced a major surge in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, coinciding with the New Age movement and widespread interest in astrology. These pieces were marketed as personalized gifts and conversation starters, allowing wearers to express their astrological identity through fashion. Collectors of vintage costume jewelry, astrology enthusiasts, and those interested in mid-century American fashion history find these pieces appealing for their nostalgic charm, craftsmanship, and cultural significance as artifacts of a specific era in popular culture.