The Story Behind Art Deco Jewellery

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Art Deco came from the name of an exhibition in France, called Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, or the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts, that took place in 1925. The Art Deco style is very distinctive and is seeing a continued revival in popularity, with both antiques and modern designs being sought after by consumers.

A Sign Of The Times

Although the exhibition was in 1925, the movement started before this and can be dated to 1920. It was a time of social upheaval and women were discarding their tight corsets and clothes and choosing comfort, wearing bold new designs which had them branded as “Flappers”. There were many different influences on this emerging fashion design and one of the most famous would be the discovery and opening of the tomb of King Tut in 1922.

Metals Used In Art Deco Jewellery

The 1920s and 1930s were a time of heavy industry, and this was embraced by the Art Deco movement. Popular materials that were used in this style of jewellery were White Gold, Platinum, Steel, Bakelite, and Chromium. Although precious metals were still popular, industrial metals were affordable and easy to access for the vast majority, which is why there is such a diverse range of metals used in this period.

Popular Gemstones In Art Deco Jewellery

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There was a lot of bold colours used in the design of Art Deco jewellery, which means gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, and Emeralds were popular in the different designs of jewellery. However, as not everyone can afford these, just as with the precious metals, there were lots of alternatives available that included rhinestones and paste gems which were much more affordable. Some of the Art Deco diamond rings available at Kalmar Antiques highlight the unique style and beauty this type of design has, which is one of the reasons that it remains a popular choice for many people.

The Inspiration Behind The Designs

The Art Deco design is an unmistakable one, and it is known for embracing geometric patterns and using bold colours. The Art Deco movement was not only designing jewellery, but the concept was embraced by many other industries such as architecture, fashion, and design, but it is most memorable for its decorative qualities. Some of the patterns, designs, and colours used have been said to be influenced by both Egyptian and Aztec art, as well as drawing inspiration from classical antiquity.

The Decline Of Art Deco

During the 1930s while much of Europe and North America was suffering an economic depression, and leading up to the start of World War II, many people thought of Art Deco as gaudy and ostentatious. It came to demise during the wartime austerity measures and would not see a resurgence until the 1960s where it has been increasing in popularity ever since.

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Art Deco antique jewellery has been fashionable for a long time, and you can purchase genuine antiques or go for the many available reproductions. If you do not have any Art Deco jewellery in your collection, then your jewellery collection is not complete.