Diampnd Ring

Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.

The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.

However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)

While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.

Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.

A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.

Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Vintage three-stone rings are pieces of jewelry adorned with three individual gemstones.

In 2001, De Beers launched the “Past, Present and Future” ring with a trio of diamonds and helped establish the three-stone ring as a staple jewelry piece. When it comes to modern engagement rings, many couples on the search for the perfect ring choose three-stone rings for their appeal and symbolism. When the Duchess of Sussex’s three-stone engagement ring was unveiled, it instantly piqued the interest of ring buyers and future fiancées.

Some popular gemstone cuts for three-stone rings include emerald, square and round. Three-stone rings can feature gemstones that are all the same type or a mix that varies in color, size and type. The three main size styles for these gemstones are graduated, slightly graduated and equal. Each of these styles differs in its carat weight. The rings can also be made from various metals such gold, silver, yellow gold or platinum.

Three-stone rings frequently have a slightly curved silhouette that makes them a great pairing for wedding bands or a foundation for a stacked design. You can add other rings such as an eternity band (an ideal choice for a wedding or milestone anniversary), a versatile band ring or a solitaire to contrast minimal pieces with more ornate statements.

The three-stone ring is an iconic accessory that will endure through time. Browse an assorted collection of vintage three-stone rings on 1stDibs, each featuring different gems and wedding-band styles.