Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Art Deco Sterling Crystal Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Sterling Channel Crystal Necklace set in sterling with faux blue zircon crystals. Unusual sterling settings and links are decorated with ...
Sterling Silver
French Art Deco Twisted Crystal Rondel Necklace
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco Twisted Crystal Rondel Necklace with turquoise and jet pate de verre spacers which slips over the head. Strands are capped by 3 large ...
Art Deco Pave and Channel Set Ruby Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Art Deco Pave and Channel Set Ruby Bracelet from the 1930's. Stepped and circular links are pave set with rhinestone crystals and square cu...
Rhodium
Art Deco Enamel Spray Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Charming Art Deco Enamel Spray Brooch from the 1930's. Set with pink oval crystals and varied hand cold enamel accents and pave. 1930's USA. 3" x 1....
Base Metal, Enamel
Modernist Enamel Pendant, Germany
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Modernist Enamel Pendant from Germany circa 1940's. Charming matte enamel bird on branch in cobalt, sky blue and green in a stepped Deco sterlin...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Coro Deco Lily Flower Duette
By Corocraft
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Coro Deco Flower Duette from the 1930's. Rhodium plated lily flower clips set with with green pastes. Both clips separate of backing and can be ...
Rhodium
22ct Yellow gold chunky ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony 49.8g
Located in London, GB
22ct Yellow gold chunky ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony 49.8g 22ct yellow gold Ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony. Gorgeous 22ct pure yellow gold ...
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Diamonds & Emeralds Bracelet Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Oval Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds Oval shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Italian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Multi Color Enamel Bar Anklet Bracelet 2.7 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Italian made, this 14 karat yellow gold anklet bracelet features multi-color enamel bars weighing 2.7 grams. Available in other colors & shapes. More Anklets in Stock Message fo...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
22ct Yellow gold chunky ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony 49.8g
Located in London, GB
22ct Yellow gold chunky ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony 49.8g 22ct yellow gold Ankle chain bracelet Indian Asian wedding ceremony. Gorgeous 22ct pure yellow gold ...
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
$496Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.8 in W 0.55 in D 0.44 in L 0.8 in
Genuine 24.15 Carat Natural Yellow Citrine Pixel Bar Cut Gemstone from Brazil
Located in Peshawar, PK
Gemstone Type : Citrine Weight : 24.15 Carats Dimensions : 20.2x13.8x11.1 mm Clarity : Loupe Clean Origin : Brazil Color: Yellow Shape: Emerald Cut: Pixel Cut...
Citrine, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold...
Mauboussin Semi-Rigid Bracelet in 18 Kt Yellow Gold and Diamonds
By Mauboussin
Located in Paris, FR
MAUBOUSSIN Semi-rigid Bracelet in 18 kt yellow Gold and Diamonds Semi-rigid MAUBOUSSIN Bracelet in quilted 18 kt yellow Gold set with Diamonds for approximately 2 carats, inner steel...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies from Africa & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & S
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies from Africa & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Rubies - 14 Carats Natural Diamonds - 8 Carats This...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds And Oval Shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Emeralds fr...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Diamonds & Emeralds Bracelet Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Oval Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds Oval shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Emeralds fr...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Wendy Brandes Barbed Wire Diamond and Platinum Ankle Punk Ankle Bracelet/Anklet
Located in New York, NY
Nothing is sexier than a delicate chain on your ankle. This ankle bracelet brings punks up the look with its barbed-wire motif. It's an unusual and subtle use for platinum, which is ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, Rhodium
Wendy Brandes Barbed Wire Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Ankle Bracelet/Anklet
Located in New York, NY
Nothing is sexier than a delicate gold chain on your ankle. This one brings some edginess to the look with its barbed-wire motif. 18K yellow gold, satin finish. 48 diamond rounds to...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, Rhodium
$320Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.38 in D 0.34 in L 0.5 in
Gorgeous Intense Blue Loose Electric Blue Topaz from Brazil 9.85 Carat Ring Gem
Located in Peshawar, PK
Faceted Electric Blue Topaz Weight : 9.85 Carats Dimensions : 12.6x9.6x8.5 Mm Origin : Brazil Clarity : Loupe Clean Shape: Emerald Color: Intense B...
Topaz, Blue Topaz
$1,488Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Multi Fancy Sapphire & Ruby Bracelet Set In 18K & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Natural Multi Fancy Color & Ruby Bracelet Set In 18K & Silver Natural Fancy Sapphires, Ruby, Topaz, Amethyst 14 Carats We pay all ShIpping And Dut...
Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Krementz Art Deco Mother of Pearl Stud Set
Located in New York, NY
Krementz Art Deco Mother of Pearl Stud Set for use with tuxedo or dress shirt. Unusual grey mother of pearl is faceted in a radiating pattern ...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate