Rago Auctions

Throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s, Art Deco jewelry became one expression of a multifaceted movement in art, design, and architecture. Featuring geometric shapes, bold colors, and a sleek, modern aesthetic, Art Deco jewelry captures the lively spirit of the Jazz Age and the decadent jubilance of the Roaring Twenties. Drawing upon Cubism and Futurism, yet especially indebted to Machine Age Modernism, Art Deco jewelry possesses symmetrical patterns, sharp lines, and angular designs that exude refined luxury. Platinum became the metal of choice for its strength and lustre, allowing jewelry makers to create intricate settings for diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and other gemstones, which were often cut in geometric shapes such as baguettes, triangles, and trapezoids to complement the linear designs. Semi-precious gems, including jade, onyx, and coral, were also popular, adding contrast and vibrance to pieces. Enamel work in bold colors like black and red was regularly leveraged in Art Deco jewelry designs to provide accents to metalwork. All of this combined to make Art Deco jewelry a statement of modernity and elegance, adorning the fashionable elite of the time and symbolizing the glamour of the era.