Spotlight on Art Deco Jewelry
The 2020s commemorate a century since the Art Deco design movement was in its heyday. The fine jewelry that came out of this period is beautiful, unique, and widely sought after by collectors. Read on to learn more about the jewelry from this famous time period, and view some selected items from our collection!
A 1920s-era advertisement from a New York jewelry manufacturer.
What is Art Deco?
Short for Arts Décoratifs, "art deco" was an art and design movement popular in the 1920s and 30s that symbolized modernity, opulence, and new technology. New archeological discoveries in Egypt and Greece influenced designers to draw from art styles from ancient time periods.
The 1920s was a progressive time in the West for fashion and style. Women’s hemlines and sleeves became shorter, and the corseted silhouette of the previous Edwardian era was discarded in favor of loose, slinky gowns and party dresses.
Empowered women of the 1920s took control of their personal style by wearing shorter haircuts and showing off their arms and legs. These fashion-forward women were known as flappers.
Art Deco style jewelry features luxurious materials such as diamonds and platinum, clean lines and geometric designs, and intricate filigree. Materials like synthetic gemstones (a new technology at the time) were often utilized to add accent to the sparkle present in many Art Deco luxury pieces.
Art Deco Rings
Rings from the Art Deco period showcased diamonds with accent stones like sapphire or emerald. The historical old mine cut and old European cut diamonds were widely used, as well as early versions of the modern round brilliant cut diamond we know today.
Art Deco Bracelets
Art Deco style bracelets featured sleek lines, clustered gemstones, and intricate filigree. They were often worn stacked with other bracelets to compliment new fashions which left the arms bare.
Art Deco Brooches
1920s era brooches were used to make a statement and were large and studded with diamonds in geometric or filigree designs.
