What defines Art Deco jewellery
Art Deco jewellery, made roughly between 1920 and 1939, marks a deliberate break from the flowing, nature-inspired designs of the preceding Edwardian era. In its place, Art Deco jewellery embraced straight lines, symmetry and bold geometric shapes - stepped forms, sunbursts, chevrons - often built from contrasting materials such as platinum against black onyx, or diamonds set beside sapphires, rubies and emeralds for colour contrast rather than blending. Art Deco jewellery remains some of the most recognisable and sought-after jewellery of any period.
Platinum was the defining metal of Art Deco jewellery. Its strength let jewellers create fine milgrain borders and openwork gallery panels that would not have been possible in gold, and it suited the crisp, architectural lines Art Deco jewellery called for. Old European cut diamonds, calibre-cut coloured stones cut to fit precise geometric settings, and Egyptian Revival motifs following the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb are all hallmarks of genuine Art Deco jewellery worth knowing when you are buying.
Styles in our Art Deco jewellery collection
Our Art Deco jewellery collection includes Art Deco rings, Art Deco bracelets, Art Deco necklaces, Art Deco earrings and Art Deco brooches across a range of budgets, from simple geometric diamond pieces to more elaborate calibre-cut gemstone designs. Art Deco engagement rings, Art Deco diamond rings and Art Deco cocktail rings are among the most popular pieces within our wider Art Deco jewellery collection.
Every piece of Art Deco jewellery in our collection is checked for period-accurate construction - the settings, cut of stone and metal used should all be consistent with a genuine 1920s or 30s origin, and we say so plainly when a piece is a later, Art Deco-inspired design rather than an original piece of Art Deco jewellery.
Buying Art Deco jewellery: what to look for
Authenticity is the most important consideration when buying Art Deco jewellery. Genuine Art Deco jewellery carries hallmarks from the period - British pieces should show an assay office mark and date letter placing them in the 1920s or 1930s. Stone cuts are also a useful guide: old European and transitional cut diamonds pre-date the modern round brilliant, which was not standardised until the 1950s, so Art Deco jewellery set with modern brilliant-cut diamonds has likely been altered or is a later reproduction.
Condition varies across Art Deco jewellery, and fine milgrain edging in particular can wear over time. We describe condition honestly across our Art Deco jewellery collection and are happy to discuss any individual piece before purchase.
Visit us or browse online
Our Art Deco jewellery collection is updated regularly as new pieces come in. If Art Deco jewellery is a period you are specifically collecting, let us know what you already own - we can flag new arrivals before they go online. We are based at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.
