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 1991 Sterling Silver Sculptural Perforations Link Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A bold link necklace designed by Angela Cummings and crafted in sterling silver, dated 1991. The necklace is composed of large links with a distinctive perforated openwork surface th...
Sterling Silver
$6,280Sale Price|20% Off
ANGELA CUMMINGS 1984 Sculptural Multi-Orchids Necklace In .925 Sterling silver
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural orchids necklace designed by Angela Cummings. This is a fabulous sculptural necklace, created in New York City by Angela Cummings, back in the 1984. The oversized necklac...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,998Sale Price|20% Off
ANGELA CUMMINGS 1987 Studio Geometric Sculptural Necklace In .925 Sterling
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural necklace designed by Angela Cummings. This is a beautiful sculptural necklace created by Angela Cummings at her own silversmith studio in New York City, back in the 1987....
Silver, Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings 18K Yellow Gold Leaf Pendant Necklace with Original Leather Cord
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant leaf pendant necklace by Angela Cummings, crafted in 18K yellow gold and suspended from its original black leather cord. The pendant is formed as an openwork leaf, with so...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Angela Cummings Bold 18k Gold Diamond Braided Collar Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A bold, dramatic and fanciful 18k gold vintage collar necklace signed by noted designer Angela Cummings. Intriguing graduated concentric circles of twisted gold tipped with sparkling...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Large Scribble Brooch – Sterling Silver, Circa 1987
By Angela Cummings
Located in North Miami, FL
Angela Cummings Large Scribble Brooch – Sterling Silver, Circa 1987 This authentic Angela Cummings large Scribble brooch exemplifies the bold creativity of one of the most celebrate...
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Thorn & Twig Pearl Necklace ANGELA CUMMINGS For ASSAEL
By Angela Cummings
Located in Winter Springs, FL
An exceptional necklace by Angela Cummings for Assael. The quality is exactly what you have come to expect of Angela Cummings and whoever she creates for. This piece is no exception...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Diamond Assael Open Link Necklace 18K Yellow Gold 9.73Cttw
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
An excellent pick for weddings or any special events. This beautiful link necklace is crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring heart shape links studded with 415 pave set round brillian...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 0.08 Carat Round Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Angela Cummings Title: Angela Cummings 0.08 Carat Round Brilliant F VS Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace Style: Pendant Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone 1: ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,960Sale Price|20% Off
Angela Cummings 1985 Bean Shaped Pendant Brooch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Jadeite
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Pendant-brooch designed by Angela Cummings. This a very unusual and rare pendant-brooch created by Angela Cummings, back in the 1985. This piece is very sculptural and has been desi...
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Hematite Bead Yellow Gold Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
Angela Cummings 18k yellow gold hematite 38" long bead necklace. With 1 strand of Hematite beads Each bead is approximately 8mm in size Can be worn sing...
Hematite, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 34 Carat Diamond Swirl Platinum Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
Platinum Diamond Swirl Necklace by Angela Cummings Circa 1995. With 341 round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total weight approx. 3...
Diamond, Platinum
Angela Cummings Diamond Pearl 18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Lariat Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of 1.5 mm rounded snake chain terminating with lariat style open trefoil motif With graduated round brilliant cut diamonds bead set in white gold Weighing approximately 1.1...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,075Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.31 in D 0.25 in L 16.5 in
111.46 Carat Faceted Oval Cut Blue Topaz Tennis Necklace in 925 Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
This 111.46 Carat Faceted Oval Cut Blue Topaz Tennis Necklace stunning necklace is crafted in 925 sterling silver and adorned with brilliantly faceted blue topaz gemstones. The vivid...
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Vintage Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver 3 pc set Material 925 Sterling Silver Handmade Natural Diamond Polki Rose Cut Wieght ap...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$1,297 / item
W 0.36 in D 0.11 in L 17.32 in
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Twisted Wire Chain Link Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver twisted wire necklace. Dimensions: L 17.32 in x W 0.36 in x D...
Sterling Silver
Thistle & Bee Sterling Silver Heavy Wave Link Necklace
Located in Cincinnati, OH
By designer Thistle & Bee. Sterling Silver Large wavy links with a smooth finish. Approximately 1.5 inches wide and 16.5 inches long. 96.1dwt Stamped "Thistle & Bee" and "925". Foldo...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Collar Necklace
Located in Boston, MA
This vintage 18k yellow gold collar necklace exemplifies timeless elegance with its sleek, minimalist design that creates a sophisticated statement piece. Weighing a substantial 22.2...
Yellow Gold
Estate Hammerman Bros. 18K Gold Diamond and Turquoise Necklace
By Hammerman Brothers
Located in Houston, TX
Hammerman Bros. collar necklace is composed of 18K yellow gold with carved turquoise and diamonds. There are 645 round diamonds that total 35.50 carats, G-H color and VVS-VS clarit...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Long Curb Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated twisted wire sterling silver curb link long chain necklace. Marked Jona. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for ...
Sterling Silver
$1,295
H 7 in W 1 in D 0.5 in L 7 in
Vintage Italian Sterling Silver Hallmark Twisted Link Sculptural Collar Necklace
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Italian sterling silver chic twisted link necklace is vintage and hallmarked but not legible. The choker collar necklace is timeless. It says 25T as the 9 is not visible...
Sterling Silver
Agate Leaf 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Pendant
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
A deep earth toned agate is the focus of this leaf pendant trimmed with brilliant cut diamonds. Agate is carved in the contour of a five-pointed leaf, displaying the translucency of ...
Agate, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Vintage Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver Material 925 Sterling Silver Handmade Natural Diamond Polki Rose Cut Wieght approx 62 gr...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$3,960Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.63 in D 0.26 in L 2.24 in
Angela Cummings 1985 Bean Shaped Pendant Brooch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Jadeite
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Pendant-brooch designed by Angela Cummings. This a very unusual and rare pendant-brooch created by Angela Cummings, back in the 1985. This piece is very sculptural and has been desi...
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Yellow Gold Braided Collar Necklace
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
A classic 18KT yellow gold braided necklace set with 15.03 carats of round brilliant diamonds. The braided links of the necklace alternate with pave set ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings 1992 Sterling Silver Vintage Butterfly Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of pierced stylized butterfly motif links fully around Minimalist with tiered looping wings Completed by concealed hook loop closure Stamped for sterling silver Signed for ...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Honeycomb Brooch – Sterling Silver, Circa 1992
By Angela Cummings
Located in North Miami, FL
Angela Cummings Honeycomb Brooch – Sterling Silver, Circa 1992 This authentic Angela Cummings brooch features the designer’s celebrated “honeycomb” motif, a bold openwork design tha...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Sterling Geometric Cube Necklace c. 1980s
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A striking sculptural necklace by Cummings, dated 1984, crafted in sterling silver and executed in a bold, architectural cubist design. This distinctive necklace is composed of a con...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Angela Cummings Turquoise Large Bead Yellow Gold 20" Long Necklace 1988
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
Angela Cummings vintage 18k yellow gold large turquoise 20" long bead necklace 1988. With 1 strand of turquiose beads Each approx 15.5mm in size 1 main motif 18k yellow gold weave ba...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Diamond Pearl 18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Lariat Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of 1.5 mm rounded snake chain terminating with lariat style open trefoil motif With graduated round brilliant cut diamonds bead set in white gold Weighing approximately 1.1...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lily Pad Leaf Link Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Baltimore, MD
Angela Cummings Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lily Pad Leaf Link Necklace Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 70.5 grams Length: 16 inches Width: 1.5 inch Signed: Cummings 18K LTDD I-15484
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
ANGELA CUMMINGS 1984 Rare Sculptural Orchids Necklace In .925 Sterling silver
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Massive orchids necklace designed by Angela Cummings. This is an oversized sculptural necklace, created in New York City by Angela Cummings, back in the 1984. The necklace was conce...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
W 1.06 in L 16 in
ANGELA CUMMINGS 1985 Studio Swirl Ribbon Necklace In Solid .925 Sterling Silver
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Twisted ribbon necklace designed by Angela Cummings. This is a gorgeous necklace created by Angela Cummings at her own silversmith studio in New York City, back in the 1985. This fl...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.85 in W 1.26 in D 0.28 in L 24 in
ANGELA CUMMINGS 1984 Carnelian Key Necklace In 18Kt Yellow Gold & Pearls
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
Necklace with key pendant designed by Angela Cummings. This is beautiful and rare key pendant-chain, created by Angela Cummings, back in the late 1980's. The modernist piece has bee...
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings Sailor's Knot Carnelian Yellow Gold Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
An 18k yellow gold necklace by Angela Cummings, decorated with applied carnelian, featuring sailor's knot links. Necklace is 16" long and 15mm wide. Marked on the back of one link: A...
Carnelian, Yellow Gold
Angela Cummings 18K Yellow Gold 0.15 ct Diamond Leaf Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in Southampton, PA
One to add to your growing jewelry collection. This beautiful necklace by Angela Cummings features a black cord holding a carved leaf pendant fashioned in 18K yellow gold. The sculpt...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Angela Cummings Iconic 1984 Sterling Silver Orchid Statement Necklace
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
This spectacular necklace is 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 1984. She had not been allowed to sign her own works in silver and gold at Tiffany's and this was a pivotal moment in her storied carrier. Cummings was one of the three well-known, innovative women designers at Tiffany's along with Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso. She joined Tiffany's right after completing her degrees in goldsmithing and gemology in 1967 when she was just 23 years old. Eight years later, she had her first full collection under her own name and by 1982, her line was bringing in 10 million dollars...
Sterling Silver