What is Art Deco?

Art Deco is known as a style or era relating to the years 1920-1935. Of course, it didn't start on January 1, 1920 and end at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1935, but the years mentioned are when we see the strongest examples of Art Deco characteristics. As the Deco era approached and as it faded away, we see signs of it mixed in with the era that preceded it and the era that followed. These times are known as transitional times as one era transitions into another.

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Costume jewelry from this time consisted of (but is not limited to):

geometric shapes

angles

strong lines

bright color contrasts

copied from expensive Paris examples

Czech jewelry

German jewelry made with sterling silver, dyed chalcedony (made to imitate chrysoprase), and marcasites

marcasites (faux and real) or what is known as marcasite that is actually pyrite

butterfly wing jewelry

speed related themes such as greyhounds, rockets, airplanes, etc.

Bakelite

Celluloid

filigree

enamel

"fruit salad" jewelry

real and synthetic gems such as jade, coral, onyx, mother of pearl, ivory, lapis, rock crystal, chrysoprase, carnelian, rubies, emeralds, smoky quartz, amozonite

dress clips

duettes

"white" metal made to resemble platinum, often rhodium plated

birthstone jewelry

 

Art Deco Sterling Glass Cameo Necklace

Enamel and Glass Stone Link Bracelet

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Influences

Egyptian themes (following the discovery of the Pyramid tombs)

African and Japanese influences

modern technology influences (The Machine Age)

Jazz Age influences

Hollywood influences

the Paris Exposition - the International Exposition des Arts Decoratifs

the Russian Ballet

Cubism 

the Bauhaus

Vintage Egyptian Revival Enameled Bib Necklace

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Art Deco Jewelry in Different Forms

Necklaces

long flapper beaded necklaces

Czech necklaces with angular glass stones and marcasites

long necklaces worn together with short chokers or wrapped around the neck once to simulate a choker look

faux pearls and glass beads

use of Venetian beads

amber beaded necklaces

rectangular pendants with "Lalique-like" crystals

Czech Signed Deco Glass Necklace

Bracelets

many worn at one time on both wrists (as a symbol of fashion as well as status)

the "bangle" and the "tennis bracelet"

flexible link bracelets

Deco Red Molded Glass Bracelet

Earrings

long dangles worn with "bobbed" hair

screw-back

Art Deco Reverse Carved Sterling Crystal Earrings

Brooches and Pins

circle and oval shapes

"white" clear rhinestone pave set brooches

Florida theme (flamingos and palm trees)

Scottie dogs (Franklin D. Roosevelt had a Scottie dog in the 30's)

gazelles

arrows

air travel themes

Clear  Pave Set Vintage Rhinestone Brooch

Rings

use of large synthetic or semiprecious stones (commonly seen is chrysoprase or onyx)

filigree settings

rectangular shape

Sterling Marcasite and Chrysoprase Glass Deco Ring

Dress Clips

enamel

rhinestones / paste

worn just about everywhere on the body

a staple for the stylish woman

Green Glass Geometric Deco Dress Clip

Buckles

carved and molded glass

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Sources:

Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry, 1840-1950 - 5th Ed by Jeanenne Bell, G.G. C. Jeanenne Bell, C. Jeanenne Bell (Producer)

Warman's Jewelry: A Fully Illustrated Price Guide to 19th and 20th Century Jewelry, Including Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Costume (2nd Ed) by Christie Romero

Guide created: 17/08/06 (updated 01/19/11)

This blog and all contents Copyright © Vintage Jewelry Girl. All rights reserved.

We had our first jewellery (CDN spelling) party on November 5th and another on the 12th and I have to say it was a huge success and a lot of fun! We had a door prize and a draw which allowed two people to pick out $50 in free jewellery!

What People Bought

It was interesting to see that brooches are still a hot commodity although most people seemed to like to buy them to put on their coats as a more permanent item. Many were bought for Christmas gifts.

To my surprise, the most sought after items were my handmade jewellery like the bracelet in the picture.

As for vintage, rhinestone pieces were sold, one pair of clip earrings and honestly not much else. This crowd liked their jewellery new. Oh, two brooches went. One was a Christmas pin.

Have you ever had your own party for selling jewellery or have you ever been to one? Post a comment about it!

That's all for now. :-)

Jo-Ann

I am very excited to announce the opening of The Vintage Costume Jewelry Blog!



Bookmark this blog for information, news and discussions covering a wide variety of topics under the broader topic of vintage costume jewelry. Topics may include designer marks, construction, current fashion, hot trends, remakes, design, style and our current findings.



My name is Jo-Ann and I am the proprietor of Vintage Jewelry Girl!, an online store and resource site for vintage jewelry. That's my picture in the top right corner. It was a professionally done 1940's glamour shot where I was able to dress the part and make like a Hollywood starlet. I am wearing the most gorgeous long rhinestone earrings from a later period. I have been dealing in vintage jewelry for 8 years and am self taught with the help of various excellent internet resources and zillions of books which are the most precious part of my library. I treasure them as much as I treasure my jewelry!



We'll start off with a new find for today which is not yet listed on the site. The brooch above is a pink diamond or square (depending on how it is worn) piece with molded iridescent glass stones. Do you know who made this piece? Leave a comment with your guess and I'll update the blog later to tell you if you were right.



Well, that’s all for today. Take Care!

Jo-Ann