Tune in every Tuesday at 6PM ET for Be Jeweled with Bill and Connie for the best new jewelry, designers, and style ideas!
The Art Deco period influenced more than architecture and household design, it found new expression in the jewelry of 1920’s women. These “flappers” as they came to be called were ready to shake off their prim and proper images. By pushing the limits on what was considered acceptable fashion at that time, they set the pace for our unique trends today. With masculine cuts, geometric designs, and bold colors, Art Deco jewelry is still a hugely popular style with an amazing history.
1. An Art Deco Timepiece
A lady sporting a watch? Today it doesn’t seem like such a novel thing but in the 1920’s ladies watches were just being introduced. Traditionally men were the ones who carried a timepiece in the form of a pocket watch. That’s why this Art Deco Watch gives us such a stir for its sentiment and its beauty! Set on a leather strap an intricate design of pave crystals frames the watch face.
2. Square Styled Earrings
One of the easiest ways to discern if a piece of jewelry is considered “Art Deco” is through its popular use of geometric designs. The common shapes of rectangles and squares are a favorite of Art Deco for their easy symmetry and clean lines. These “Breathtaking Baguettes” Crystal Earrings by Heidi Daus up the ante even more with the geometric designs that cascade inwardly. The bright pop of pink crystal as the culminating finish is the perfect touch!
3. Art Deco Drop Design
In addition to playing with the mathematical precision of various shapes, Art Deco popularized the drop design in jewelry. This display is where the piece of jewelry is crafted in a teardrop or pear shape that dangles freely off a stud post. True to Art Deco fashion these sparkly Black Onyx Sterling Silver Drop Earrings by Xavier still plays with triangles and circles to achieve the “drop” design. These “Decidedly Deco” Crystal-Accented Drop Earrings incorporate even more combinations of varying shapes to put together a creative drop style.
4. Oversized Tassel Necklace
Besides using crystals, gems and pearls to adorn jewelry, Art Deco designs also used fabric and beaded tassels to give accessories a modern look. An oversized tassel like in this “Avant-Garde Elegance” Beaded Tassel Drop Necklace would have been a go-to look for the 1920’s flapper. Another gorgeous tasseled option are these Clear Crystal Goldtone Snake Chain Tassel Earrings, with just a little more glitz. Feel free to twist and twirl with these tassled jewels on and show off how fun daring fashions can be!
5. Bright and Bold Color
The final motif of the Art Deco period that influenced jewelry was a movement towards rich and bold color. The more vibrant the hues the better, and paired with the intense lavishness of other Art Deco characteristics these combinations made for some show-stopping jewelry designs. This Simulated Jade and Crystal Goldtone Oval Ring from the Rita Hayworth Collection is the perfect accessory to try out this jewelry style. If you dare for even more color than we also suggest this brilliant multi-colored “Signature Accent” Crystal Ring.
What time period fashion and jewelry do you love the best?