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.
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
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
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
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
14k Yellow Gold 5.21mm Curb Chain Dangle Animal Charms Anklet Ankle Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold - Hollow design charms Weight: 8.84 Grams Charm Dimensions: 10.77 x 9.88mm (elephant) - 12.30 x 7.90mm (bear) - 10.54 x 6.94mm (ladybug) - 13.74 x 8.6...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Aldebert Chunky Chain Link Bracelet in Polished 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Command attention with this striking Aldebert chunky chain link bracelet, a true statement of modern luxury. Crafted in radiant 18 karat yellow gold, each bold link is polished to pe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Heavy anklet bracelet chain 18KY gold natural aquamarine and diamond
Located in Jupiter, FL
Very heavy anklet bracelet chain in 18KT yellow gold, made with aquamarine and diamond totaling almost 13 grams. Stunning piece! WHAT YOU GET AT STAMPAR JEWELERS: Stampar Jewelers, ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
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
Chunky Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Charm Bracelet.
Located in San Francisco, CA
LOVE this Chunky Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Charm Bracelet! It would make a fabulous, unique gift for any, and is sure to become a family he...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Italian Chunky Chain with Sapphire Clasp Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
An Italian design with a contemporary feel, this 18K yellow gold bracelet has rounded double links alternating with connecting links. The clasp is decorated with a round cabochon cut...
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K WG 22ct Blue Sapphire and 7ct Diamond Halo Bracelet
Located in Stuart, FL
This beautiful 14k white gold tennis bracelet has 22 beautiful blue sapphires 22ct tw AA quality in it along with a diamond halo around each stone. The Diamonds are 7ct tw VS2 G. The...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
14K Yellow Gold Open Flower Anklet Adjustable for Her
By Joelle Fine Jewelry
Located in Great neck, NY
Station Clover Bar Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful station clover Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are look...
Yellow Gold
22ct Gold, Platinum and 0.23ct Diamond Curb Bracelet
Located in Midhurst, GB
Exceptionally heavy curb link bracelet, with solid 22ct gold links and a platinum box clasp set with a round brilliant cut diamond. This exceptional bracelet can easily be fitted to...
Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Platinum
Yellow Gold Diamond by the Yard Bracelet
Located in Great Neck, NY
This exquisite diamond by the yard is the one to have. This 14-karat yellow gold bracelet is adorned with 5 diamonds totaling 0.35 carats of SI1-0SI2, GH color diamonds and is set in...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Amethyst Sugar Stack Loaf 18k Yellow Gold Ring US5
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Amethyst Sugar Stack 18k Yellow Gold Ring. A beautiful and rare sugarloaf purple amethyst ring from the Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso collection. ...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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