Collection: Art Deco Jewelry

Art Deco jewelry was sleek and bold, characterized by linear, geometric shapes. Bright colors came into vogue and were showcased in contrasting combinations. Diamonds, onyx, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, jade, and pearls were frequently set in platinum to create eye-catching designs.    

Postwar prosperity in the 1920s and 1930s ushered in an overwhelming sense of freedom that 

heavily influenced new styles of this period. Master jewelers such as Cartier, Fouquet, and Ostertag experimented alongside artists and architects to celebrate the relationship between form and function. The flat, two dimensional aesthetic of cubism was also a strong influence. 

These influences were clearly seen in one of the most popular Art Deco pieces - linear bracelets. New machines and tools improved the ability to cut stones, leading to more intricate and interesting shapes. These bracelets were all about the stones - very little metal was visible, making the stones’ layout and cut really pop.  

Clean, angular lines distinguished Art Deco jewelry from the flowing, curved lines that were popular in the preceding Art Nouveau period. This new less ornate style made jewelry, even pieces with large, colorful gemstones, fit both with a polished everyday look and formal evening attire. 

Art Deco jewelry remains a favorite among celebrities and collectors alike. At the 2021 Met gala, Rihanna garnered a lot of attention when she arrived on the red carpet in a black Balenciaga overcoat and her wrist stacked with three Art Deco diamond bracelets. In December 2021, Christie’s in New York auctioned numerous pieces of Art Deco jewelry. One of the most valuable pieces, a Van Cleef & Arpels platinum and rose cut diamond bracelet, sold for $1.2 million. Art Deco jewelry’s popularity has endured for a century and shows no signs of slowing down.