Retro Art Deco Jewelry History

Retro Art Deco jewelry is a type of jewelry that has its roots in the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 30s. The term “retro” first emerged in the 1950s to describe products from previous decades, hence the name retro Art Deco Jewelry. It has had a resurgence over the last few decades and is now becoming increasingly popular with those who appreciate vintage pieces with a modern edge.

Origins: Birth and Rise of Retro Art Deco Jewelry

The origins of retro Art Deco jewelry date back to the 1920s and 30s when, under the shadow of World War I, modernist designs took prominence in all areas of life – particularly fashion. This was due in part to technological advancements that allowed for mass production at cheaper prices than ever before, making angular geometric lines accessible to all classes of people.

Geometric shapes made out of sterling silver, chrome and pop art plastics prevailed during this time period as well as colored stones like tourmalines, opal and turquoise being introduced into bold designs also became prominent elements.



Legacy: Impact Today

As we move further into the 21st century it’s evident that retro Art Deco jewelry is still highly sought after today with its timeless elegance often heavily favored by fashion designers and celebrity stylists alike.

While some pieces replicate classic old designs perfectly there are others who put their own twist on the concept meaning an array of sizes, colors and materials can be found in contemporary variations on traditional styles so whether buying for yourself or someone else you’re sure to find something truly unique amongst this abundant selection of items.

Development of Retro Art Deco Jewelry Over Time

Retro Art Deco jewelry rose to prominence in 1919 and is still popular today, for both its stylish design elements as well as its historical and cultural significance. The style developed from the “Modernism” movement of early 20th century Europe, which was a period where abstract art and expressionist design emerged as new creative expressions. This trend soon spread to the US, where modernism-inspired geometrical designs and iconic architectural pieces quickly gained traction.

It was during this time that Retro Art Deco jewelry began to take shape, as designer like Louis Comfort Tiffany created complex necklaces and brooches with intricate geometric features. The look also incorporated bold designs featuring uncommon gemstones like diamonds, sapphires and opal.

The Jazz Age of the 1920s saw an even bigger surge in popularity for Retro Art Deco jewelry with an increase in opulent pieces being featured in high society circles. Pave set diamond watches were no longer limited to royalty, with fashionable socialites flocking around stores carrying uber-luxe jewelers like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

During this ‘roaring twenties’ period of decadent consumption, customers even opted for jewelry boasting precious rubies and emeralds – furthering their status within elite class circles while adding a touch of flair to any outfit.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Retro Art Deco jewelry experienced a second wave of success when designers took inspiration from the modernists of earlier decades. They updated older designs by adding extra shine with lacquered surfaces on enameled pieces or shimmering white gold settings on gemstones.

Famous creations included mouche necklaces with floral motifs along with coral earrings surrounded by curly basins and abstract curved diamonds that had been newly cut from Brazil crystals – all fashioned to draw attention yet remain on trend for fashionistas everywhere at the time.

By this point it had become hard for anyone who followed fashion trends not to own at least one piece of retro Art Deco adornment in their wardrobe – making retro art deco a timeless mainstay across eras by weaving through both cultures alike beautifully over time.

Aesthetic Qualities of Retro Art Deco Jewelry

Retro Art Deco jewelry has its roots in the European aesthetic from the 1920s to the 1930s. It is most strongly associated with Hollywood glamour, captured by stunning geometric designs, bold lines and lavish details such as diamonds, glass and stones of all types.

The materials used for creating Retro Art Deco pieces were typically gold and silver but also included some unusual metals like aluminum and platinum, both of which were incredibly costly due to their limited availability at the time. Decorative elements like glass beads and cabochon cut stones added intricate details to these pieces which made them unique among other kinds of jewelry available at the time.

The hallmark style of Retro Art Deco was sophistication created through clean lines combined with an ornate mix of materials and decorative elements. This look was achieved through multilayered composing utilizing several types of jewels such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires mixed with rhinestones, colorful enamel accents and vibrant faux pearls or diamonds.

Also popular were diamond accents that nimbly filled the gaps between larger gems in patterned “dog-tooth” designs. Regardless of their design element though, Retro Art Deco pieces always featured a sense of showstopping luxury thanks to rare gemstones paired with beautiful fabric cutouts for eye-catching appeal.



These vintage atmospheres have made a comeback today as beloved nostalgic reminders from a glamorous era gone past. Whether it’s 19th century French inspirations infused with Baroque opulence or sparkling geometric sparkles surrounded by gleaming metals like white or rose gold – there is something special about adding a meaningful old world touch (or a fresh modern feel) to your everyday jewelry wardrobe that can turn heads no matter where you are going.

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Materials Used to Create Retro Art Deco Jewelry

The history behind retro Art Deco jewelry is not only interesting but also filled with creativity, elegance, and class. It was first created in the 1920s in Paris as a response to the contemporary styles of the day – art nouveau. Its aim was to express modern concepts through bold geometric shapes and brightly colored materials such as platinum gold and enamel.

Art Deco embraced materials such as mother of pearl, lapiz lazuli, malachite, onyx, glass beads, coral and turquoise in order to create stunning pieces of jewelry. The jewelry designs used motifs inspired by ancient Egypt, ancient Rome or natural elements like animals or flowers in order to create intricate and often multi-dimensional pieces.

The materials used to craft these magnificent retro Art Deco pieces were carefully chosen for their strength and color. Gold was popular for its shimmering brilliance that made it a perfect choice for floral motifs or geometric shapes.

Platinum was chosen for its durability which allowed for complex designs that offered longevity due to its resistance from tarnish. Precious gemstones such as diamonds were also used as statements of elegance and sophistication either alone or combined with other metals and stones.

Enamel was another favored material due to its ability to be formed into intricate patterns unlike any other ornamentation at the time. This allowed artists to recreate landscapes from their imagination onto brooches, necklaces, rings and more giving them unique character that complemented their elegant fashion statement perfectly.

Retro Art Deco jewelry is not just beautiful but a testament of exquisite craftsmanship that drew inspiration from all corners of the world in order compose timeless masterpieces now treasured by many collectors today.

Craftsmen and Women Who Produced Retro Art Deco Jewelry

Retro Art Deco Jewelry was an emerging style of jewelry from the 1920s to the 1950s. During this time, individuals expressed their creativity and individuality through unique-style pieces.

Art Deco designs were a reconfiguration of traditional shapes including geometric forms and symmetry, as well as stylized motifs and vibrant colours that reflected the optimism and extravagance of the times. During this era, jewelry was designed by artisan craftsmen and women who used their creative skills to craft outstanding innovative pieces.

These artisans focused on fine craftsmanship rather than mass production, employing exquisite materials such as gold, platinum, silver, diamonds, corals and turquoise in intricate settings that set these works a part from cheaper produced jewelry. Some of these artisans became renowned for their designs; names such as Baxters Brothers in England, Alfred Phillips France are among some of the best known fine jewelers during this period.

Art Nouveau styles also experienced a revival during this era which saw new producers like Castellani in Italy embrace unconventional techniques for creating jewels that featured mixed metals with enamel accents or electrophorism treatments which applied etching techniques over plated gold or silver to create unique patterns on the metal surfaces.

The most revered designers often enhanced traditional jewels with elegant curves leading the eye around cleverly crafted shapes to reveal a daring hint of glamour. These pieces were engineered differently compared to modern offerings where they were dependent upon labor intensive processes often relying on hand tools or watchmaker engraving devices to carve out delicate features or contours not achievable today with machine tooling technology common today.

The skill involved meant each piece had its own subtle nuances revealing each artists signature touch that made it truly unique and timeless piece in ones personal collection.

Notable Retro Art Deco Jewelry Pieces

The Retro Art Deco jewelry movement began with the development of Art Deco architecture in the early 20th century. This style was heavily inspired by traditional African and Oriental designs, which were combined with modern aesthetics to create a unique style of design. The movement rejected the strictness of Classicism and embraced bold colors, geometric shapes, and bright, beautiful materials.

The wealthy elite of the 1920s were drawn to this new look and began purchasing lavish pieces crafted from precious metals. By the 1930s, many of these extravagant pieces had become highly sought-after collectibles.

The most notable pieces produced during this time are those that incorporate various elements such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones into Art Deco jewelry designs. These embellishments often feature intricate patterns that perfectly capture the essence of this era’s era’s aesthetic.

Such iconic pieces include diamond-studded bangles with colorful cabochons as centerstones, green enameled watches framed by flower motifs set in gold frames, and dainty diamond solitaire necklaces crafted out of platinum accented by Marquise cut stone accents.

Further advancements in jewelry making technology during this period allowed for more elaborate pieces to be crafted from platinum or white gold while keeping a light weight overall feel. Highly detailed yet delicate floral motifs began appearing on rings and necklaces while contrasting colors were also used to create compelling visual interest when it came to bracelets and brooches adorned with sapphires and emeralds.

What better way to show off one’s intimidating wealth than with a stack of bracelets made entirely out of rubies?

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Retro Art Deco Jewelry continues to remain popular today amongst collectors who appreciate its timeless beauty; masterpieces created during this period are now some of the most sought after items in antique stores across the world. Next time you’re looking for a piece with a vintage flair or something totally unique consider adding an exquisite piece from the Retro Art Deco era to your collection – it very well may end up becoming an heirloom piece.

Sources for Buying Authentic Retro Art Deco Jewelry

The history of Retro Art Deco Jewelry documents the significant role that these pieces of jewelry have played in fashion and style. Beginning in the 1920s, there was an emergence of a new kind of fashion, one that focused on being bold, unique and modern. The term “Art Deco” was coined to describe this new movement, and its influences can be seen today in many forms – particularly jewelry.

The lines, shapes and materials used in Retro Art Deco Jewelry are indicative of the times during which they were created – striking geometric shapes, asymmetrical designs and bold but subtle flourishes set pieces apart from their predecessors. This style held strong until only a few decades ago when it began to incorporate more contemporary materials like brass and stainless steel while still staying true to classic styles.

When it comes to collecting or wearing authentic Retro Art Deco Jewelry pieces it is important to do your research. To start this process you should determine what era exactly you are looking for so that you can search for items specific to that period. Looking for pieces originating from the Edwardian Era (1900-1910), Roaring Twenties (1920-1930) or later?

Each offers something different, so knowing your limits helps in finding the right piece for you. Additionally, it is essential to verify authenticity as there are many counterfeit items out there masquerading as real Retro Art Deco Jewelry. One way to know what you’re getting into is by examining documents from reputable dealer sites like Designers Within Reach or jewellery historians who specialize in this era~

It can be extremely fulfilling acquiring authentic vintage art deco jewelry pieces. Besides private collectors & antique shops, several online marketplaces exist such as Etsy & eBay which enable other collectors all over the world share their finds. For example on Etsy not only can you view photos & descriptions of each piece but often even hear stories about how it came into existence.

Moreover customers expect top-notch customer service & professionals with years of experience making sure that any questions pertaining to history are answered easily – allowing first time buyers peace of mind before investing their money.Furthermore some brick & mortar stores such as Chester Jones’ Designs offer quality art deco inspired creations. Utilizing a combination of traditional designs with modern day technology gives admirers possibility to own a piece quite similar compared to originals–at small fraction of the cost.

Clearly different types buying options make sure everyone competing interests are taken care off giving lovers a chance finally sport vintage look they seek while ensuring satisfaction with every purchase made.

Conclusion

Retro Art Deco jewelry has a long and interesting history. The early 1900s marked the beginning of this style, with its geometric shapes and bold use of color. From then until now, it has been adopted by various cultures around the world for its symbolisms and remarkable beauty. Its popularity remains constant to this day as more people recognize the timelessness of Retro Art Deco pieces.

The aesthetics of Retro Art Deco jewelry formed from the notion that jewelry should be ‘art for the body’ – creating pieces that amplify and complement a person’s outward appearance. Emerging in France during World War I, it incorporated industrial influences along with inspirations from nature and geometry into unified designs made up of precious metals, gemstones and enamels. This combination signified a social change in Europe during which professionals emerged as a new class of stylish tastemakers.

As this style developed further, different countries adopted elements from it to create their own interpretations, giving birth to variations such as Flapper Jewelry in Great Britain; Arts & Crafts Jewelry in Germany; and Jazz Jewelry in the United States. These distinct styles blended together to form what we know today as Retro Art Deco jewelry.

Admired among all classes and ages alike, they often feature motifs associated with luxury, power or luck – though personalized meanings depend on who is wearing them and how they interpret them. It continues to influence modern fashion trends decades later through revivals ranging from couture runways to vintage retailers offering timeless treasures.

Through its changing looks and enduring presence since the turn of the 20th century, Retro Art Deco jewelry reflects society’s ever-evolving interests…and perhaps most importantly our never-ending fascination with beauty through design.



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