The Beauty of Art Deco Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Bracelet

Written by: Donna Pulese- Murphy

During the Universal Exposition of 1900, French artisans formed a collective known as the society of the decorator artists.

The beginning of the Art Deco movement and the styles created were bold and gregarious. The use of geometric shape containing the beauty of nature was inspirational. The bold design of the Art Deco period celebrated freedom and exploration and affected every design period since. Art Deco jewelry designs are classic and elegant.

This was a time of exploration and the machine age.  The influences on design were world events, the end of war, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the modernization of the world. Leaders in the jewelry industry emerged with fantastic designs.

Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and other jewelry designers found their voices with beautiful and sexy jewelry designs based on these themes. Art Deco themes were expressed in architecture, art, and in jewelry. The Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center are great examples found in New York.

The Tiffany & Co. bracelet pictured below is a lovely Art Deco inspired example.  The structure of the bracelet and the use of diamonds and emeralds add simple yet striking accents that enhance the beauty tremendously.