The Geometric Beauty of Art Deco Jewellery

During the 1920s a new movement in design emerged. It was to become to first truly international artistic movement and its influence was felt in all aspects of human creation. Art Deco, as it came to be called, led to the creation of a vast array of wondrous pieces of art and architecture. Some of the most iconic structures in America were designed and built during this period, including the Rockefeller Centre, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, but the principles of the Art Deco movement were also applied to much smaller works of art.

The Art Deco period was, in many ways, a natural result of the technological and scientific innovation that humankind had amassed over the prior eras. Against a backdrop of seemingly limitless human ingenuity there arose the impression that the future was bright, that science would lead us ever upwards into prosperity and greater heights of understanding. It was this inherent optimism that defined the work of artists and craftsmen, and which has made the products of the Art Deco period consistently valued today.

Art Deco jewellery echoed traits of the great architectural works of the time; bold, stark lines and geometric shapes cut and forged with high precision with the most advanced tools of the age. Artisans revelled in the ability to craft precious stones and metals with unrivalled accuracy, and this led to the creation of some remarkable works.

The jewellers of the Art Deco period favoured bright gemstones. Diamonds had been consistently popular, and remain so today, but advances in the techniques used by gem cutters now allowed more elaborate cuts, such as the brilliant cut, to be achieved more quickly and easily. This led to elaborate arrangements where such stones were set across large surfaces creating a beautiful, scintillating façade.

Aquamarine jewellery was particularly popular, with large, emerald cut specimens mounted in simple, open settings that allowed the properties of the stone to shine through. The subtle, ocean blue colouration of the aquamarine was often paired with white gold, which matched the futuristic aesthetics of the time. Although yellow gold was still used, white gold matched the shining silver chrome effects which were becoming prevalent in other aspects of design.

There was also a marked increase in the use of platinum for the most exclusive pieces. This wondrous metal was durable and substantial, with a greater weight than gold which matched its greater value. Having been discovered much more recently than gold it was the perfect material to match the forward thinking optimism of the Art Deco movement.

At Antique Jewellery Online we have spent decades searching for the most beautiful and remarkable pieces of Art Deco jewellery and we are proud to be able to present our extensive collection to our customers.

You can view our collection of Art Deco jewellery here.

Looking for a particular piece? Why not get in touch and see what our team can do for you? Give us a call on England: 0333 700 4500; or drop us an email at enquiries@antiquejewelleryonline.com.