1920’s Jewelry

1920’s Platinum Jewelry

In the 1920's Platinum was the new luxury metal for jewelry used with stones like coral, jade, aquamarine, citrin, onyx and opal as well as the more traditional gems like diamond, ruby, and emerald in rings, bracelets, pendants, earings, pins etc.

White metals like platinum, white gold, and silver carried over in popularity from the previous decade. The stark white-on-white look of diamonds on platinum appeared elegant and sophisticated, but the 1920's contribution was to add gemstones like rubies and emeralds to provide accent.

New techniques in working with platinum were developed that allowed intricate decorative patterns to be carved on jewelry surfaces. This enabled the creation of beautiful engagement rings from the 1920's that are sought after by collectors today.

See below for auctions of 1920's platinum jewelry.

1920's Platinum Jewelry

Art Deco Jewelry

The Art Deco period is considered to have begun about 1920 and had a major effect on the style of 1920's jewelry, making it considerably different to pre 1920's jewelry. Art Deco jewelry had a clean cut and sophisticated look based on straight lines, symmetry, and geometric shapes.

The white stones on white metal look of the previous decade was still prevalent but to it was added colored stones like ruby, emerald and sapphire to add accent. New geometric cuts like the baguette were developed for gemstones to conform to the Art Deco look.

Platinum was the "in" metal of the 1920's and colorful opaque stones like jade, coral and lapis lazuli were used in addition to precious stones to contrast with its silver look. Synthetic stones were sometimes used to make the jewelry more affordable, especially when large numbers of stones were used on an item.

Major influences on Art Deco jewelry design included Egyptian motifs (King Tut's tomb was discovered in 1922), India and the Orient, Africa, Cubism and nature. Most jewelry design incorporated circles, triangles, rectangles, arcs etc. Art Deco culture gorified speed so emblems of speed like fast animals and birds, cars, planes and arrows were featured in elegant designs.

Pearl necklaces were popular and became much more affordable due to the introduction of cultured pearls.

Art Deco Jewelry Auctions