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.
Tiffany Angela Cummings Sterling Silver Star Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Stamford, CT
Designed for Tiffany Angela Cummings created these five pointed star earrings in silver c. 1975. They have both a post and a clip that slips over the post. Either clip or post can be...
Sterling Silver
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 Gold and Black Jade Studded Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
An iconic pair of 18k yellow gold earrings adorned with black jade. Crafted by famed designer Angela Cummings, the earrings measure 25mm x 21mm and weigh 26 grams. Post backing for p...
Jade, Gold
Vintage Angela Cummings Retro Hematite and Yellow Gold Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage pair of Angela Cummings retro inspired earrings set in 18k yellow gold and hematite. Each earring is centrally set with a metallic lustrous piece of hematite. Th...
Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Jade Celtic Knot Earrings, 1988
By Angela Cummings
Located in Zurich, CH
Very stylish 18 karat yellow gold and jade Celtic knot earrings by Angela Cummings, 1988. Each designed as a stylized Celtic knot consisting in tw...
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Earrings and Brooch
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Cincinnati, OH
From Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso's "Graffiti" collection. Sterling Silver Brooch and Earrings X style. Earrings are like new condition. Brooch has small scratches. Both are stampe...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold & Enamel Dome Earrings
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
18K Yellow Gold & Black Enamel T&Co Positive Negative Earrings Designed By Angela Cummings. 18.20 Grams
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Imperial Jade Heart and Diamond Stud Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 18K White Gold Total Weight: 2.5 Grams Jade Measurements: 8 x 7.5 mm Diamond Count: 10 Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS Diamond Cara...
Jade, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Angela Cummings for Assael Gold Diamond Pretzel Knot Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Angela Cummings for Assael 18 karat yellow gold earrings , featuring pretzel knot design, set with approx. 0.38ctw G/VS diamonds. Marked: C...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Signed Fred Leighton Black Jade and Diamond Hexagonal Stud Earrings
By Fred Leighton
Located in New York, NY
A pair of round diamonds totaling approximately 0.36 carats are inset to black jade hexagons mounted in 18 karat white gold. Signed Fred Leighton....
Diamond, Black Jade, 18k Gold, White 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
$7,490
W 0.79 in D 0.48 in L 1.06 in
Tiffany & Co 1970 Angela Cummings Oversized Earrings 18Kt Gold with Black Jade
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Oversized clip earrings designed by Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Very rare oversized variant of the iconic polka dot pieces, created in New York city by Cummings at the Tiffany...
Jade, Black Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,406 / set
W 0.88 in L 1 in
Vintage Angela Cummings Non-Pierced Ridged Gold Earrings in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Angela Cummings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This vintage pair of Angela Cummings earrings crafted in 18 karat yellow gold exemplify her signature style, characterized by innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship. The ear...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified Platinum Emerald Cut Diamond Studs 1.00 Carat Total
By Lili Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
1 CT diamonds set in low basket 4 prong push back style. GIA certificates for each diamond color G , vvs-vs in clarity. Lab tested guarantee all NATURAL mi...
Diamond, Platinum
$1,323 / item
H 0.19 in W 0.44 in D 0.19 in L 0.44 in
Alex Jona Burmese Jade Quartz 18 Karat Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold stud earrings set with a crazy cut Quartz over Burmese Jade, weighing 5.6 carats. Clips can be mounted upon r...
Jade, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Iconic 1984 Sterling Silver Orchid Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Orchid earrings from Angela Cumming's iconic first collection as an independent designer when she left Tiffany's to establish her own boutique at Bergdorf Goodman in 198...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Vintage Sapphire and 18K Yellow Gold Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of vintage 0.16 carat sapphire, 18 karat yellow gold earrings, made by Cartier; part of our diverse sapphire jewelry collections. These fine and impressive vintage cabochon cut sapphire earrings have been crafted in 18k yellow gold Each earring consists of an 18k yellow gold elongated drop setting, ornamented with a feature collet set cabochon cut sapphire to the apex. Each impressive sapphire setting incorporates a yellow gold scalloped border. The stunning sapphire earrings for non-pierced ears secure to the reverse with a clip-on hinged fastening. These impressive Cartier earrings have been hallmarked to the inside of the setting with the maker's mark (Cartier), the 18k gold fineness mark 750, and the registration number '164369'. The impressive Cartier sapphire earrings...
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Angela Cummings Small 8mm X stud earrings 18k Yellow Gold 3g
By Angela Cummings
Located in Northbrook, IL
Here we have a pair of 8mm X stud earrings crafted in 18k yellow gold. Designed by Angela Cummings, these earrings feature a unique, intertwined form with a polished finish. These ar...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 18K Peridot Hematite Diamond Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Henderson, NV
Crafted in 18K yellow gold, each earring features an oval bezel set peridot imbedded in hematite, topped with inlay onyx and mother-of-pearl and a pave diamond cap. Omega and post ba...
Diamond, Hematite, Onyx, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 1970's Mother-Of-Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Inlay Stripe Triangl
By Angela Cummings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as rounded triangular forms with a stripe pattern comprised of gold and inlaid mother-of-pearl Translucent white in body color with moderate i...
Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Enamel Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Angela Cummings CIRCA: 1980’s MATERIALS: 18k Yellow Gold WEIGHT: 27.4 grams MEASUREMENTS: Diametr - 1” HALLMARKS: Angela Cummings, 18K, 1986 ITEM DETAILS: A pair of uni...
18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage Angela Cummings Onyx Diamond and Yellow Gold Earrings Circa 1990
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of onyx, diamond and 18-karat yellow gold post and clip-on earrings, by Angela Cummings, United States. The earrings feature an asymmetric arrangement of bezel-set round bril...
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings for Assael Diamond Pearl Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Angela Cummings for Assael 18 karat white gold and platinum earrings with diamonds that weigh approximately 6 carats. The diamonds form a so...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Angela Cummings Three Dimension Cube Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Angela Cummings 3-d cube yellow gold stud earrings circa 1990. DETAILS: MATERIALS: mother-of-pearl and nephrite jade. METAL: 18-karat yellow gold. WEIGHT: 3.7 grams. HALLMARK...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Earrings Vintage Scribble Sterling Silver Jewelry Twist
By Angela Cummings
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of Angela Cummings earrings crafted in 925 starling silver. The stylish earrings feature a freeform design. The earrings are circa 1987 and feature post and hinged ome...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Pearl Hematite Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
18 Karat Yellow Gold Angela Cummings Pearl and Hematite Earrings featuring Two 8.2mm Fresh Water Pearls.
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Angela Cummings Star Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
18kt Yellow Gold Star Earrings made for Tiffany & Co. signed & dated 1995.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Coral Black Onyx Inlay Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Coral Black Onyx Stud Earrings by Angela Cummings. From 1989. With Coral & Black Onys Inlay. Details: Weight: 2.4 grams Measurements: 10mm x 10mm Stamped Hal...
Coral, Onyx, 18k Gold