With her playfully bold, nature-inspired pieces, Angela Cummings has left a lasting mark on the world of jewelry design. Full of movement and sensational color, her eye-catching collar necklaces, stud earrings and bracelets continue to be favored by red-carpet celebrities and tastemakers the world over.
Cummings was born in Austria in 1944, during a time when her country was being torn apart by war. At the age of three her family moved to America, where she was raised. Returning to her native country as an adult, Cummings studied art in Perugia, Italy, then went on to study jewelry design in Hanau, West Germany. She graduated with a degree in gemology, goldsmithing and jewelry design from Zeichenakademie in 1967.
Cummings returned to the United States after finishing her studies. She marched into legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. in New York City and asked for a job. Under the mentorship of Donald Claflin, a designer who’d previously worked for David Webb, Cummings became a respected in-house designer for the brand. Her named collection, Angela Cummings Exclusively for Tiffany & Co., debuted in 1974.
Cummings created sumptuous 18K gold accessories that were inlaid with coral, opal, mother-of-pearl, jade and lapis lazuli. Not unlike the work of Elsa Peretti, who signed an exclusive contract with Tiffany & Co. in 1974, Cummings’ designs — seashell necklaces, maple leaf pendants — drew on the shapes and forms of the natural world.
As her style continued to develop, Cummings integrated silver, precious gemstones and platinum into her work, creating exquisite juxtapositions by mixing the materials with wood and iron. Her pieces increasingly featured more movement-inspired elements — curling vines, crashing waves and billowing cloud forms — that hearkened to the rhythms of nature.
In 1982, People magazine featured Cummings' jewelry and the publicity launched her into the spotlight. Two years later, she established her own business, Angela Cummings Inc., and began to experiment with abstraction in her work, as well as allowing her surroundings in Japan, where she opened several boutiques, to inspire her adornments.
Cummings retired in 2003, making a brief comeback in 2013 to collaborate with Assael Jewelry, for which she created an exclusive line of cultured pearl jewelry.
Find vintage Angela Cummings earrings, necklaces, brooches and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Angela Cummings for Assael Vintage 5 Row Akoya Pearl Bracelet, 7.5 - 8mm
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A luminous example of Angela Cummings’ sculptural elegance, this vintage five-row bracelet features radiant Akoya cultured pearls woven into a refined silhouette that feels both time...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage Classic Japanese Akoya Pearl Single Strand Bracelet, Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 6 MM Classic Japanese Akoya Pearl Single Strand Bracelet, Yellow Gold measuring approx. 6 mm White color VINTAGE PRE-OWNED ESTATE PIECE Length of Strand including clasp 6...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
David Yurman Spiritual Blue Beaded Bracelet in Sterling Silver 8mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
David Yurman Spiritual Bead Bracelet Material Sterling Silver Metal Purity 925 Blue Beads 8mm Bracelet Length: 7 1/4" Gender: Men's Condition Mint Comes with David Yurman pouch
Onyx, Sterling Silver
$288Sale Price|20% Off
David Yurman Amethyst onyx Sterling Silver Spiritual bead bracelet 8mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
Brand David Yurman Amethyst Onyx 8mm Sterling Silver 925 Hallmark D.Y. David Yurmak 925 David Yurman pouch included Condition New, never worn.
Onyx, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto 18 Karat Yellow Gold Double Two-Strand Akoya Pearl Bracelet 6MM
By Mikimoto
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mikimoto 18 Karat Yellow Gold Double Two-Strand Akoya Pearl Bracelet 6MM Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 18 grams Pearls: 6mm round cultured Akoya white pearls with creamy luster Leng...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Akoya Pearl Bracelet White Gold and natural Diamonds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Akoya Pearls and 18k White Gold approx weight 42 grams Center Buckle is 18k White Gold with Natural Diamonds approx size of this center piece is approx 25 x 30 mm real Akoya ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
David Yurman Spiritual Sterling silver white Bead bracelet 8mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
David Yurman White bead bracelet Onyx width 8mm Adjustable length Material Sterling Silver925 Comes with David Yurman pouch Retail Price:$450 Condition New, without tags
Sterling Silver
26756 Vintage Tiffany Co 18K Yellow Gold 4mm Akoya Pearl Double Strand Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Tiffany 18k gold pearl bracelet weighs 14.1g 18k yellow gold bows measures 8mm wide 84 round pearls measures 4mm wide Bracelet measures 7.5'' long end to end Bracelet fits up to 7''...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Spiritual Beads Collection for Men Spiritual Beads Bracelet Sterling Silver 8mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
Brand David Yurman Material Sterling Silver River Stone 8mm Bracelet Length 8'' Long Condition Mint, like new Comes with David Yurman pouch Perfect gift for any occasions Retail P...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Akoya Pearl 3 Strand Bracelet Diamond, Opal, Amethyst, Turquoise Charms
Located in Towson, MD
This vintage 14K yellow gold three strand bracelet is a truly unique, one of a kind piece, strung with 90 cream Akoya pearls and adorned with 5 gold charms, each set with colorful ge...
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Yurman Silver Tiger Eye Spiritual Bracelet Bead 8mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
Brand David Yurman Metal Sterling Silver Tiger eye Spiritual beads Bracelet length 7 1/2" Beads 8mm Gender: Men's Comes with David Yurman pouch
Sterling Silver, Silver
Vintage Classic Japanese Akoya Pearl Single Strand Bracelet, Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 6 MM Classic Japanese Akoya Pearl Single Strand Bracelet, Yellow Gold measuring approx. 6 mm White color VINTAGE PRE-OWNED ESTATE PIECE Length of Strand including clas...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$580
W 0.56 in Dm 0.56 in L 7.88 in
Vintage Chinese Apple Green Jadeite 14mm Beaded Bracelet Stainless Steel 7-7.5"
Located in Richmond, CA
A substantial vintage Chinese jadeite bead bracelet composed of large polished 14 mm round beads in vivid bright green tones, accented with handsome 8 mm polished stainless steel dis...
Jade, Stainless Steel
Vintage Authentic Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Bead Ball Bracelet 9.5mm 7.5"
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Addison, TX
Details Authentic Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver (.925) Large Approx. 9.5mm Silver Beads Length: 7.5 Inches Lobster Clasp Closure Weight: 19.0 Grams Fully Hallmarked Excellent pre-own...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 3 Row Pearl Amethyst 9 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A vintage 3 row pearl and amethyst 9 karat yellow gold bracelet. Circa 1960 Designed as an elegant three row bracelet, each of the rows comprises of double knotted cultured pearls g...
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Akoya 6MM Cultured Pearl Bracelet
Located in Baltimore, MD
14 Karat Yellow Gold Akoya 6MM Cultured Pearl Bracelet Metal: 14k yellow gold Weight: 8.83 grams LengthL 6.5 inches Pearls: 6mm cultured Akoya white pearls with creamy luster TD F35...
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold