Art Deco Double-Clip Brooch

The decadent period between 1920 and 1930 defines art deco.   The Roaring Twenties was the age of prohibition, bootleg liquor, flappers, suffragettes, and gangsters.    It was a daring and romantic time that gave rise to the Jazz Age, expressionism, and surrealism.

Art deco jewelry is distinguishable by its bold colors, geometric lines and symmetrical designs.    We often see diamonds cut in pear shapes and marquises. Interesting mixes of crystals, diamonds and coral, were  seen in jewelry designs of this era. We also see colorful gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphire against backdrops of diamonds and crystals.

The double-clip brooch was a very popular design in art deco jewelry.   Below we see a beautiful example of this jewelry with diamonds and emeralds, set in platinum.   Absolutely stunning!

Photo credit: Pinterest by langantiques.com

Deco Diamonds

Diamond is the traditional birthstone for April.    It is the hardest known naturally occurring material.  Diamonds are the symbol of love and corresponds to the 60^th wedding anniversary.  We can only aspire to make it that long!   In any event, its worth the wait!   Diamonds have been used widely in art deco jewelry designs. 

The example we see below combines weighty sapphires with beautifully designed flowers encrusted with diamonds.  Pearl drops cascade as leaves below the diamond flowers.   This earring pair was designed in 1920 and is being sold by Fourtane (courtesy of Pinterest).  

Photo Credit:  diamondsinthelibrary.tumblr.com

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What Is Art Deco Jewelry?

The art and design style that first developed in France in the 1920s and flourished internationally in the 1930s and 1940s became known as Art Deco.  Art Deco design combines geometric shapes and bold intense colors, along with symbols, such as arrows, cars, planes (representing speed and technology).  The discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1923 also figures into many art deco themes, with motifs such as the sphinx, scarab and falcon appearing in jewelry designs, as well as popular semi-precious gemstones of this period such as lapis lazuli, carnelian, chalcedony and jade (see 1st picture below).  Gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds (see 2nd picture below) were also used by the fine jewelry houses such as Tiffany, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.  Art Deco design has a symmetrical modern look which is very popular today with collectors, who prefer original vintage pieces to reproductions.  Materials such as aluminum, steel, Bakelite, chrome and plastics are frequently used in art deco designs, reflecting the embrace of modern materials and new technologies of this amazing era.   

Miriam Haskell Jewelry

Who is Miriam Haskell, you say?    Ms Haskell is an American costume jewelry designer born to Jewish immigrant parents, who created handmade affordable jewelry from the 1920s thru the 1950s.  You can see the art and and workmanship that went into her pieces by looking at her vintage jewelry available today, which is highly prized by collectors.  When I first saw Haskell's jewelry I was amazed at the depth and sophistication of this vintage designer. Her eclectic pieces manage to mix up styles in such an artful way so as to make one think they are looking at a simple uncomplicated piece. On the contrary, her designs are so modern, and so ahead of their time, that her influence can clearly be seen in today's jewelry and her pieces are still worn by fashion mavens worldwide, including Michelle Obama.   Take a look at my collection of Haskell pieces on Pinterest and feel free to comment on this website about your own Miriam Haskell experience!   
http://pinterest.com/aridesigns2/miriam-haskell/