Art Deco Jewelry 101

Art Deco Jewelry was made somewhere around the years of 1918 - 1940s.

Coinciding with the roaring twenties, the Art deco period was short-lived, in the history of Jewelry. This decorative period is also known as the "Golden-Age" in fashion and fine Antique Jewelry.

With under a decade to go, before officially declaring the coveted title of an authentic, 100 -year-old-antique, there's never been a better time to invest in Art Deco jewels in the current economic climate, before prices start to soar.

And the good thing about collecting this style of Jewelry is that it's not too difficult identifying Deco Jewelry as it's often the main jewelry on display in Antique jewelry stores. It is anything BUT Antique, forever popular and never seems to date.

Jewelry Collectors will find some useful tips on this page, about how to tell the difference between Authentic Deco jewelry and Antique Costume Jewelry.

Now, if you're Veteran-Deco collector, you may like to move directly down the page to Essential Art Deco Investor Tips Here.

And if you're still undecided but would like some more good reasons why you should consider investing in Antique Jewelry, Read 10 Reasons to Invest in Gold Jewelry Here.

Art Deco Jewelry - Gay Paris!

Art deco jewelry in the 1920s originated in Paris. The name "Art deco" was only one of a number of candidates for the completely novel way of looking at things.

Derived from the 'The Exposition Internationale des Artes Decoratifs et Industriels Moderns' of 1925.

Hardly more than 20 years before the Art Nouveau, la belle époque fashion period had favored gentle curves and sinuous shapes.

The creative period that fostered this brief, revolutionary period in fashion and art history lasted only until the outbreak of the second world war.

The seriously innovative, very trendy jewelry designs of the Art Deco period would never be recaptured, but fortunately for jewelry passionistas, many examples of the jewelry of this remarkable period still remain.

Abstract motifs and geometrical forms with an emphasis on vertical lines are the keys. Necklaces hung low, often with an elaborate jeweled pendant, called a Sautoir.

Art deco was a major influence of the "faux" costume jewelry under haute couturier, Coco Chanel and the handcrafted jewelry boxes of fashionable women, by the late 1920s, held both fine jewelry and faux jewelry.

The emancipation (derived from the Latin word - mancipium ‘slave’ ) of women changed the face of jewelry forever. This period could be described in fashion art history as a rebellion ladies.

Haute Couturier, (fashion designer) Coco Chanel forerunner to Eliza Schiaparelli, born in Rome, Italy in 1890, captured the mood precisely with their Costume Jewelry designs.

Long, streamlined and vertical lines with the introduction of masculine elements. Anything a man could do well, a fashionable art deco belle could do better.

Cutting the hair into short boyish hairstyles marked a "cutting" point in a woman's struggle for equality. The hair that was gone was often replaced by long Art deco earrings.

Sleeveless dresses and the shedding of evening gloves encouraged the wearing of bracelets. Usually of the extra large bling style and quite often worn in pairs, one on each wrist. Gem-encrusted geometric link style bracelets were also in fashion and remained in fashion until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Schiaparelli went on and licensed her name for mass production of costume jewelry and accessories made by David Lisner Co. which was also the authorized American agent and distributor for her earlier French-made pieces.

Her earlier jewelry, is typically Art deco in design- showy, imaginative and bold with innovative designs. Later designs however reveal Art nouveau elements of nature creeping in.

Art Deco Jewelry Opens The Door To Luxury

Put your investment where you can see it. One of the great benefits of collecting Antique jewelry is Wearing It!

For the ultimate Art deco indulgence, when your in LA, head over to the Roosevelt Hotel for the weekend.

From the Art deco architecture, the seating and leather club chairs to the baronial fireplace, the lobby of The Roosevelt, LA, looks like it's straight out of an old Dolores Del Rio movie and even a waft of Latin lover, Rudolph Valentino passing by! A Hollywood landmark since 1927 and home to the first-ever academy awards.

The Antique Jewelry Box

Never underestimate the power of the Antique jewelry box! Antique Jewelry is always more valuable in the original box providing its in relatively good condition.

Art deco style jewelry of the 1920s, is a great place to start your collection if you're just starting out as it's not too difficult to develop an 'eye for Art-deco jewelry'.

Geometric shapes and the use of vivid and bold colors scream 'Art deco' ! Linear lines and flamboyant style make it fairly easy, to identify, with the help of Antique Jewelry Investor's essential Art Deco tips, which are available for purchase further down on this page.

See the Duchess of Cornwall's Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring that formerly belonged to the Queen Mother Here.

Essential Art Deco Jewelry Tips

The Art deco movement touched on every aspect of applied art, not just jewelry- architecture, furniture, ceramic, glass, book design and even industrial design.

The Art deco period saw a major technical innovation—Van Cleef & Arpels' invisible setting allowed gemstones to be closely set together without the use of prongs.

Georges Fouquet, Sandoz, Templer, and Brandt, were outstanding Art Deco jewelry designer craftsmen of the era.

Like to get more great Art Deco Jewelry Tips into your fingertips?

Get the Essential Art Deco Jewelry Tips that I've gleaned over the YEARS, in your home in minutes. Quintessential nuggets of Art Deco Jewelry Info and Tips for Only $12.50!

Essential Art Deco Jewelry Tips PDF - $12.50 USD

Return to Invest in Art Deco Jewelry

Return to Antique Jewelry Investor Home Page