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.
1990s Angela Cummings Dress Form Watch Sterling Silver Quartz Silver 22 mm
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
A Piece Of Wearable Sculpture Angela Cummings is a name that carries serious weight for those who follow 20th-century jewelry design. After honing her craft at Tiffany & Co., where ...
Sterling Silver
$1,032Sale Price|20% Off
Bvlgari Estate Sapphire Crystal Quartz Watch Stainless Steel 38 mm
By Bulgari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bvlgari Estate Sapphire Crystal Quartz Watch Stainless Steel 38 mm B12 This elegant Authentic Bvlgari Watch is made of stainless steel. Newly polished TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 P...
Crystal, Quartz, Sapphire, Steel, Stainless Steel
Tavannes Tonneau Sterling Silver Porcelain Dial Watch
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the exquisite Tavannes Antique Watch from 1910 – a true embodiment of timeless elegance. Encased in sterling silver with a distinctive egg-shaped design, this vintage mas...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Tank Large 18K Gold Quartz 25mm Watch
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
The Cartier Tank, 25mm crafted in 18K yellow gold unisex watch. Roman numerals, original lizard skin strap. Complete with original Cartier Box. No papers, buckle not Cartier or 18k g...
18k Gold
36mm Rose Tone Movado Bold Quartz Watch
By Movado
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Pre-owned 36mm Movado Bold quartz watch crafted in rose tone stainless steel with crystal accents. Model MB.01.3.34.6039 Includes Box and Booklet. $750 MSRP. One year timekeeping war...
Stainless Steel
Cartier Ronde Solo 36 MM steel Quartz Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2015 Cartier Ronde Solo Wrist Watch, 36 M.M 2 Piece stainless steel water resistant case, Sapphire crown, Sapphire Glass Crystal. Silver dial with Black Roman numerals and a C...
Steel
New Gucci 40mm stainless steel quartz watch
By Gucci
Located in Cattolica, IT
New Gucci Watch swiss made stainless steel quartz. The 'watch has never been worn and comes from an authorized Italian seller. Accompanied by box and Gucci international warranty. T...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Genuine HERMES PULLMAN Stainless Steel 25mm Round Clipper Quartz Watch silver
By Hermès
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is an authentic HERMES Stainless Steel 24mm Round Pullman Clipper Quartz round Dial. The watch is crafted of stainless steel and features a champagne dial, gold hands and hour m...
Stainless Steel
Cartier De Cartier Ronde 18001 Silver Sterling 33 mm New Belt Mens Watch
By Cartier
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Cartier Model: Ronde Reference Number: 18001 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Sterling Silver / Gold Measurements : Case width: 33 mm....
Silver
Vintage 1990s Bvlgari Tubogas Quadrato Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a black lacquered square face. Signed by Bvlgari Circa 1990s 22mm face Model #SQ 22 2T Size 6 - 6 1/2, flexible
18k Gold
Hermès Cape Cod 31mm Stainless Steel Quartz Watch
By Hermès
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This Hermès Cape Cod quartz watch features a stainless steel rectangular case measuring 23mm wide by 31mm long. The watch is fitted with a soft orange leather wrap-around strap. Refe...
Stainless Steel
Rado Golden Horse Silver Automatic Date Round 22mm Women Watch
By RADO
Located in Toronto, CA
Description Brand : Rado Model: Golden Horse Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Automatic Case Material: Stainless Steel Measurements :22mm diameter (excluding crown...
Stainless Steel
$1,600
Hermes 1990s Kelly Watch
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Indulge in the epitome of luxury with the Hermes 1990s Kelly Watch—a timepiece that transcends the boundaries of elegance. Crafted in homage to the iconic Kelly Bag, this watch is no...
Gold Plate
"Angela Cummings" Ballon-Style 925 Sterling Silver Women's Wristwatch
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
"Angela Cummings" 925 Sterling Silver Ballon-Style Women's Watch in Black Leather Strap. Details: ✔ Brand: Angela Cummings ✔ Metal: 925 Sterling Silver ✔ Case Size: 26mm ✔ Case Mate...
Sterling Silver
"Angela Cummings" Ballon-Style 925 Sterling Silver Women's Wristwatch
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
"Angela Cummings" 925 Sterling Silver Ballon-Style Women's Watch in Black Leather Strap. Details: ✔ Brand: Angela Cummings ✔ Metal: 925 Sterling Silver ✔ Case Size: 26mm ✔ Case Mate...
Sterling Silver
Angela Cummings Tank Style Women's Wristwatch in Leather Strap
By Angela Cummings
Located in Miami, FL
925 Sterling Silver Angela Cummings Classic 26mm x 30mm watch featuring a Quartz movement, smooth Bezel, Silver Dial and Brown Crocodile Strap with Tang Buckle. Details: ✔ Brand: An...
Sterling Silver
18K Ladies Wrist Watch by Angela Cummings
By Angela Cummings
Located in Chicago, IL
!8k Ladies Wrist watch by Angela Cummings, Quartz movement, Black Dial, light Brushed finish, Satin Strap.
18k Gold