Art Deco Ring

Champagne pours as the band swings the audience through a sassy ragtime tune. Rising off the end of a cigarette holder, a plume of smoke masks the face of many a beautiful face. Couples fling themselves onto the dance floor. The club becomes a rave of whirling sequins and feathers—but one thing remains constant. In every lamp and chandelier, glimmering on ever woman’s neck and ear, is the ravishing, eclectic style of Art Deco. But the designs of the Art Deco era were never more glorified than on each unique Art Deco ring. But how does the intricate fashion of the 1920’s translate into the trends of the modern day? The show-stopping extravagance of an Art Deco ring and other jewelry from the era of adventure and indulgence continue to catch the eye of today’s jewelry shoppers. Whether it is art deco engagement rings or just personal flair, all the rage of the Roaring 20’s is more than just today’s costume jewelry.

The Low Down on Art Deco Rings

In Europe, artists like Pablo Picasso and French painter, George Braque, popularized the new style of cubism in the 1920’s. The severe shapes and patterns inspired fashion and jewelry artisans, giving Art Deco a completely different feel from the preceding Art Nouveau period. Like the rest of the era, Art Deco style was bold, colorful, and unyielding—a complete turnaround from the nature-inspired Nouveau. The artistic rebellion only reflected defiant attitude of the decade. Women had earned the right to vote. Prohibition had swept the nation—and so had the bootleggers. Foreign influences from India and Egypt crept into the country’s fancy as well as its fashion—especially with the unearthing of King Tutankhamen’s tomb. Thus, many art deco earrings and necklaces dawn winged scarabs, snakes, and herons. Art deco pulled from the past and pushed into the future—becoming the jewelry choice for both the intrigued and the worldly.

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Art Deco Ring Design

Whereas Art Nouveau glorified curling lines and organic shapes, an art deco ring focused on strong geometric patterns with many different colors. The signature design of any art deco ring consists of a central diamond or vivid gemstone engulfed by many smaller stones, usually set in diagonal repeating patterns.

From the 20th to the 21st Century

While Art Deco jewelry may not be for everyone, the story behind its scintillating surface tells the story of an entire era. A story of risk; of rebellion; of an adventure into the unknown. Of reaching a new horizon, of discovering simply for the sake of discovery. If the destination is bold, unique, and beautiful—there is no better way to get there than through the vintage designs

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Gems and Metals

The Twenties were all about the new, new, new. Consumers wanted something in their jewelry that set them apart from the previous generation. No material was more fitting for the task than the recently-introduced platinum: a silver-colored metal that would highlight the vibrant gems that defined art deco rings and necklaces.

Though consumers coveted platinum, white and yellow gold remained dependable substitutes. After all, the gemstones were the true stars of any piece of art deco jewelry. Consumers and collectors alike craved the exotic; no stand-alone diamond would sate their newfound worldly taste. Green jade of the Far East, Indian rubies, and emeralds from Latin America added foreign sophistication to any art deco diamond ring.

Art Deco necklaces and earrings offered more economical options for consumers who wanted the “pretty” without the price. Colored glass from Czechoslovakia could be molded into beads or chandelier earrings. As the age spanned into the 1930s, Bakelite became an alternative to pricy precious stones. Usually made for small parts in household appliances, Bakelite could be shaped or dyed to imitate any sapphire or ruby. Needless to say, Bakelite kept Art Deco alive even through the Great Depression, and still offers a pocket-savvy solution to shoppers today without compromising the style.