Flapper Jewelry

Flapper jewelry dates to the 1920's when young women known as "flappers" were all the rage.   They represented a new fancy-free woman who dressed in uncorseted fashions, bobbed hair, and kohl-lined their eyes.    Flappers wore mainly art-deco style (see previous posts for a complete definition of this style).   Many jewelry artists still use this style of jewelry to create wonderful pieces designed with colorful beads of glass and/or plastic in round or geometric shapes.   A main characteristic of this type of necklace is its length, which tends to be at least 36 inches and can be as long as 60 inches.    These necklaces were designed to wrap around the neck several times in long drapes.   When the flappers would dance, these necklaces would be dancing with them!    This jewelry has a timeless quality that still attracts jewelry buyers today.    Why don't you try your hand and experiment with some flapper-style necklaces?    There is no right or wrong way to make them and the only limits are your own imagination!

Here are some beautiful samples of flapper-style necklaces which are handmade by Etsy artisans.

A lovely red and yellow combination necklace by Etsy seller Alfadesigns:

A real vintage piece made with plastic Lucite, by Etsy seller Talkingfashionnet:

And finally a gorgeous combination of glass and plastic beads by Etsy seller luvintage:

Modern Art Deco Jewelry

Deco jewelry never goes out of style, and a resurgence of modern jewelry fashion designs has brought this fabulous era back to the forefront once again.  

I would like to show some amazing examples of "modern" art deco jewelry which were actually created in the 1920's but could be featured in any modern jewelry designers catalog today.

The first piece is a ring with the classic art deco form of geometric angles and shapes.  This ring is decidedly unisex.  What is so striking about the design is the classic color combinations of black, red, and gold and the carnelian cut-outs on each side of the ring which form the perfect balance to the domed onyx cabochon which forms the centerpiece of this ring.    What an amazing piece of art and design.

Photo courtesy of:  Pinterest and 1stdibs.com

Oh, how I love this next combination jewelry piece created with intricate chain-work, Bakelite disks and marcasite stones!  Made in France, this piece would go perfectly with a champagne flapper dress and a beautiful black satin clutch.    How completely modern is that???

Photo courtesy:  Pinterest and 1stdibs.com