A Guide to Art Deco Jewelry
The Roaring Twenties were a time of celebration as the globe celebrated the end of a war. The decade saw a liveliness in music, entertainment, food and drink, and fashion. Termed “art deco,” the style of this era was characterized by bold geometric shapes, strong outlines, and rich colors. Jewelry, too, was influenced by this modern look. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about art deco jewelry, and how to still rock it today!
Platinum
New technology and a post-war enthusiasm for all things glitz and glamour meant platinum was in fashion for the art deco era. Because platinum is much stronger than gold or silver, less material was needed to support gemstones and other elements. You can expect to see light, delicate designs using platinum.
New Settings
Many art deco pieces feature an invisible setting, also called a mystery setting. Instead of placing stones in settings with large metal prongs, the invisible technique puts stones into low mounts. When they are set, you can’t see the metal settings. This gives the jewelry a cleaner appearance and makes several small stones look like one large one.
Gem Cutting
Another innovation of the art deco era was gem cutting. Instead of more traditional shapes, like round, pear, and square, jewelers of the time focused on cutting entirely new forms to create mosaic styles. Trapezoids, octagons, triangles, and arches were popular choices to create a whole new jewelry design.
Man-Made Materials
Authentic gemstone jewelry was still expensive at the time, so many jewelers turned to synthetic lookalikes to bring jewelry to every woman. Bakelite was one material that could be used to mimic the look of gems, amber, and even wood.
Pearls
Around this time, scientists learned that they could manipulate oysters into bearing pearls. These cultivated pearls were much more inexpensive than natural pearls, making them accessible to nearly everyone. Because of that, art deco jewelry often features pearls, especially in long, layered necklaces.
Focus on Art
Before the art deco era, jewelers and artists were separate. Jewelers were experts in cutting, shaping, and setting stones and metals, while artists created decoration. However, in the 20s, jewelers and artists collaborated to create pieces that weren’t only valuable but intentionally designed. Instead of the gemstones being the central focal point, they were used as a medium to create an artistic, wearable piece.
Art Deco Jewelry at Bostonian Jewelers
Art deco jewelry is truly unique and stylish. For a great selection of gorgeous art deco jewelry you can try out for yourself, head over to Bostonian Jewelers , the expert custom jeweler in the Boston area.