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.
$4,300 / set
Angela Cummings Gold Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Darnestown, MD
Angela Cummings 18 karat gold earrings dated 1988. The earrings are a graceful, ribbon-like undulating form. They are half an inch at the widest, tapering to 1/16". The length is one...
Gold, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings Doorknocker Earrings 1988 Vintage Large Drops Silver Jewelry
By Angela Cummings
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed pair of vintage Angela Cummings earrings (circa 1988) crafted in sterling silver. The stylish earrings are crafted in sterling silver. With a light satin finish the...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1981 18k Yellow Gold Angela Cummings Twisted Loupe Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
These vintage 1981 Angela Cummings earrings are a wonderful example of the designer’s sculptural and highly recognizable approach to jewelry, combining bold form with refined gold cr...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings Inlaid Black Jade Yellow Gold Earrings
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Inlaid Black Jade Earrings by Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. With Black Jade Inlay. These earrings are for not pierced ears, but they can be converted by adding po...
Black Jade, Yellow Gold
18k Tiffany and Co. Angela Cummings Earrings. 18k Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1990s Gemstone: Lapis lazuli Closure: Clip-on Jewelry style: Avant garde Tiffany and Co. 18k Gold Earrings. Hallmarked Tiffany & Co. and 18k. Tests appropriately....
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings Twisted Link Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Circa 1981 1 3/4 x 3/8 inches
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings Carnelian Earrings
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Finely Crafted in 18k yellow gold with Carnelians. Signed by Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Circa 1980s 3/4 x 1/2 inch
Carnelian, 18k Gold
$4,395
W 0.97 in L 1.03 in
1981 Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings 18K Yellow Gold Nickelodeon Earrings #25240
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings 18K Yellow gold Nickelodeon Earrings- Size: 26 mm x 24.4 mm Weight: 14.1 g / 9.1 dwt. Hallmark: CUMMINGS 18K 1981 TIFFANY & CO. Very good condition,...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 18K Gold and Diamond Daisy Earrings
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Weston, MA
Daisies stand for happiness, good luck and new beginnings. These daisy earrings are by Angela Cummings, the first woman to be awarded a collection in her own name by Tiffany & Co...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Angela Cummings 18k Yellow Gold Fire Opal, Jade 1986 Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Angela Cummings with these rare and collectible earrings. Oversized at 1 1/8 inches, they showcase a mesmerizing combination of fire opal, b...
Jade, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1985 Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Woven Square Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the exquisite 1985 Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Woven Square Earrings, a stunning piece that embodies timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from high-quality s...
Angela Cummings 18K Yellow Gold Black Onyx Twisted Knot Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
These Angela Cummings clip earrings embody the designer’s celebrated fusion of sculptural form and refined minimalism. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, each earring is shaped into an el...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Tiffany & Co. 18k Gold Lily Pad Earrings
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Designer: Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Materials: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 14.4 Grams Measurement: 7/8" x 3/4" Hallmarks: Cummings, TIFFANY&CO. , 18K A pair of Angela C...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,790 / item
W 0.79 in L 1.42 in
14 Karat Gold Calibre Cut Citrine Baguette Diamond Dangle Doorknocker Earrings
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Art, color and culture all come together to inspire this signature calibre cut citrine taper baguette with diamond top dangle doorknocker earrings in 14 karat gold, where dégradé (gradient) hues of citrine exudes happiness and optimism while dictating the movement of eye. Meticulous hand-picked selections of 30 lustrous citrines out of many are set individually complimented by pave set diamonds. Each citrine is caliber cut by our expert lapidary artist to meet the design specifications in various sizes of tapered baguettes, enhancing the fire in each gemstone. The pair of earrings features a diamond studded pear shaped top and a suspended pear shape with 8.64 carats of high quality citrine baguettes...
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Angela Cummings beveled star earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of beveled gold earrings in the form of stars, in 18k. Angela Cummings * Free shipping * Includes letter of authenticity for insurance purposes * Please do not hesitate to re...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 18K and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Finely Made Earrings, c. 1990
By Angela Cummings
Located in Aspen, CO
Angela Cummings, a major designer for Tiffany & Co. has made a fine pair of 18K and natural turquoise, from the now closed sleeping beauty mines, tassel drop earrings. These earrings...
Turquoise
Sold
W 0.45 in L 1.89 in
Angela Cummings 1991 New York Studios Dangling Earrings 18Kt Gold and Hematite
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of dangling earrings designed by Angela Cummings. Vintage pieces designed by Angela Cummings at her New York city studio, back in the 1991. They was crafted in solid yellow g...
Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Curvy Gold and Diamond Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Angela Cummings Yellow Gold and Diamond Earrings. Elegant statement piece with just the right flair.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Sterling Large Door Knocker Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Earrings, measuring 2 1/4 inch in length and 1 inch wide. Made in two sections so that the bottom moves freely. Having Omega clip backs a...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Biomorphic Large Sterling Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Large Biomorphic Earrings, these very cool pieces of wearable art measure 2 inches in length with the bottom section measuring 1 1/8 inch w...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Pearl Diamond Gold Dangle Swirl Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Troy, MI
Swirls of Diamonds flow artfully like rolling waves in these elegant drop earrings, culminating in silvery South Sea cultured pearls. Designed by Angela Cummings of Assael of New Yor...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings Sterling Large Drop Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Earrings, measuring 2 1/4 inch in length and 1 inch wide. Made in two sections so that the bottom moves freely. Having Omega clip backs a...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Platinum and Diamond Necklace & Earrings Set
By Angela Cummings
Located in Toronto, ON
Angela Cummings platinum and diamond necklace and earrings set. She designed jewelry at Tiffany and Co. from 1969 to 1984. The necklace has brushed matte platinum "branches" that li...
Diamond, Platinum
Angela Cummings Large Hematite Yellow Gold Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Hematite Earrings by Angela Cummings. From 1989. With 2 Oval Hematite stones 16mm x 12mm each. Details: Weight: 22.2 gr...
Hematite, 18k Gold