In 1925, the Paris exhibition that gave Art Deco its name dazzled the world. A hundred years on, the style's bold lines and glamour are as loved as ever, and Art Deco jewelry is one of the most sought-after areas of vintage collecting.
What Makes Jewelry "Art Deco"?
Art Deco, roughly 1920 to 1940, broke away from the soft, flowing curves of Art Nouveau. It celebrated the machine age, speed and modern glamour.
- Geometric shapes: straight lines, stepped designs, chevrons, fans and zigzags.
- Symmetry: balanced, mirror-image designs.
- Strong color contrast: black and white, or onyx with diamonds, green with white, and bold red and blue.
- Exotic influences: Egyptian motifs after the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, plus Asian and Art Moderne touches.
- Platinum and white metals: white looks dominated fine Deco jewelry.
Popular Art Deco Pieces
- Long sautoir necklaces and tassels for flapper dresses
- Bar brooches and clip brooches, including double clips
- Filigree rings and geometric cocktail rings
- Dangling earrings to show off short bobbed hair
- Rhinestone and paste costume jewelry that copied fine pieces
Original or Deco Revival?
Art Deco has been revived many times, especially in the 1970s and again today. Clues to a true period piece include hand-finished details, older clasps such as C-clasps and early safety catches, wear consistent with age, and period marks. Modern reproductions often feel lighter and more uniform. For fine jewelry with diamonds or platinum, a professional appraisal is always worthwhile.
Art Deco Costume Jewelry
Not everyone wore diamonds in the 1920s. Costume jewelry with glass paste stones, marcasite and chrome made the look affordable, and many of those pieces are now collectible in their own right. Look for crisp, prong-set stones and quality metalwork.
How to Wear Art Deco Today
A geometric brooch on a blazer, a pair of Deco drop earrings with an evening dress, or a filigree ring stacked with simple bands all bring a little 1920s glamour into the present.
Explore our vintage brooches and vintage rings for pieces with that Deco spirit.