Hobbies Collecting Antiques

Characteristics of Art Deco Jewelry

Filigree ring
Ageless Heirlooms

Art Deco is a style that emerged in 1925, a result of exhibits at the World's Fair held in Paris, France. The term Art Deco is a shortened form of the event's name: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts). 

Certain design elements are consistent throughout period pieces, making it easy to identify cars, fashions, and even buildings. Authentic jewelry from this period was made between 1920 and 1935 and has at least one, sometimes all, of the following traits listed below. The jewelry styles remained popular through the late 1930s and have since reemerged as one of the most popular antique jewelry styles.

Expert Tip

  • Be wary of jewelry with the description "Art Deco style." If there is no indication that this item was specifically made in the early 20th century, you are likely looking at a reproduction. 
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    Platinum or White Gold

    Art Deco jewelry ring

    Erstwhile

    Most jewelry made in the Art Deco era was fashioned in either white gold or platinum. White gold made its first introduction to the public during the Art Deco era around 1915 when it was invented to combat rising platinum costs and rising demand for a light-colored metal. Yellow gold was very much out of style. 

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    Old European Cut Diamonds

    Art Deco Jewelry piece
    Jewels by Grace

    You won't see any modern round brilliant diamonds in authentic Art Deco jewelry unless it has been modified. You will find other incredible antique cut diamonds, most notably being the Old European Cut diamond. ​

    Other common diamond cuts for Art Deco era jewelry include antique cushion cut, transitional cut, and Asscher cut.  

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    Geometric Design

    Art Deco Jewelry rings

    FD Gallery

    Art Deco jewelry precedes the Edwardian Era. For jewelry novices, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two eras since both incorporate platinum and antique diamonds. However, Art Deco design differs from Edwardian design in that it is more geometric and symmetrical.

    Where the Edwardian turn of the century jewelry was very nature-inspired, light, and flowy, Art Deco design incorporates more geometric shapes, less free space, and a more industrial feel.

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    Calibre Cut Stones

    Calibre cut stones
    Estate Diamond Jewelry

    Calibre cut stones are such an important part of Art Deco jewelry design. Calibre cut stones are custom gemstones that are cut specifically to fit into jewelry design. They are tightly spaced together against other stones or metal and have quite an impact on the overall design.

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    Filigree

    Art Deco bracelet
    Ageless Heirlooms

    Filigree work is defined by small intricate cut-outs and was never done quite so well as it was during the Art Deco era. Filigree in jewelry was perfected in the late 1920s through the use of die-cast machines, and it was readily available by the early 1930s. These designs incorporate a lot of synthetic stones as well as diamonds, platinum, and white gold. It is nearly impossible to replicate the crisp, refined filigree work from the 1920s today because most rings are made through the use of wax molds.

    These reproductions have a softer, more goopy look to them as opposed to the stark, stamped edges of authentic filigree work. Another sign you are dealing with a reproduction? Most filigree jewelry from the Art Deco era was made with either 10k or 18k white gold. If your jewelry is 14k white gold and has a yellowish tint to it, chances are it is a more modern reproduction. The yellowish tint is because different alloys are used today, differing from those used in the 1920s, making the older gold more grey in its natural state.