| Art Deco is a term you are sure to hear if you are | | | | incorporation of other costume pieces such as |
| at all interested in antique or vintage jewelry. The | | | | cigarette cases and holders. |
| jewelry designs of the 1920s to 30s were greatly | | | | There was money to spend at the end of the war |
| influenced by the Art Deco movement that was | | | | and prior to the stock market crash, a lot of it was |
| taking place around the world. The term Art Deco | | | | spent on jewelry and jewelry making. As a result, |
| was actually taken from the International Exposition | | | | many of the designs of the Art-Deco period were |
| of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art which was | | | | very luxurious. Some of the world's most renowned |
| organized in 1925 in France. Many famous designers | | | | names in the industry emerged during this period. |
| and artists presented their wares to the public at this | | | | Lalique, Cartier, Chanel, and Van Cleef are just a |
| famous show. | | | | sampling. |
| One of the biggest historical events to influence | | | | The economic times played the greatest role in the |
| Art-Deco jewelry design was the discovery of King | | | | end of the Art Deco era. The downturn of the early |
| Tut's tomb. This inspired a wave of design that was | | | | thirties led to a more restricted production of jewelry |
| very Egyptian in nature. Pyramids, serpents and | | | | and designers were forced to turn to cheaper |
| spiders emerged as design elements. Advances in | | | | materials to produce jewelry items that a less |
| technology were also a definite influence as well | | | | affluent society could afford. |
| which can be seen reflected in the designs of autos | | | | Art Deco had another surge in popularity during the |
| and airplanes that found their way into pieces of | | | | 1960's when a new show was organized based on |
| jewelry. | | | | books that had been written about the original Art |
| Then, coming out of the First World War, the | | | | Deco movement. The phrase Art Deco was actually |
| country was ready for a bit more flash and pizzazz. | | | | first coined during this period. |
| There was a lot of geometric and abstract design | | | | Today Art Deco reproduction jewelry is a very |
| used in all types of jewelry. Favorite colors were | | | | popular choice among wholesalers of jewelry both in |
| black onyx, blue sapphires, green emeralds, and red | | | | rings and other pieces. |
| coral and of course white diamonds. Designs were | | | | If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. |
| bold and pieces were often big. Pendants were often | | | | They'll thank you for it. If you have a blog or |
| long and free flowing while bangle bracelets and | | | | website, you can link to it or even post it to your |
| cocktail rings were extremely popular. The boyishness | | | | own site (don't forget to mention as the original |
| of the female wardrobe of the day also led to | | | | source). |