What’s an Artwork Deco engagement ring?

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The mere mention of Art Deco evokes the idea of Great Gatsby-esque sophistication and glamor. Indeed, this is an era that continues to shape popular taste and design to this day.

And once you learn the ins and outs of this style, you should be able to spot an Art Deco ring from a mile away. Of course, this article is here to give you all the knowledge you need to understand the intricacies of the era.

In addition, you can enjoy some of the most attractive Art Deco pieces from Estate Diamond Jewelry’s curated selection.

Before you start

It is important to differentiate between art deco and art deco pieces. The former are the rings that were designed and manufactured during this period. These are real vintage engagement rings that have nothing contemporary about them.

On the other hand, art deco rings are usually more modern. Handcrafted at a much later date, they carry all the hallmarks of the era, including the diamond cut in the 1920s or 1930s.

Choosing a real piece or an Art Deco style piece depends on your budget and personal preferences. However, this article is about real Art Deco engagement rings, although Estate Diamond Jewelry has a wide variety of vintage-style pieces to choose from.

Brief history and design of Art Deco jewelry

As mentioned earlier, the style was rave in the 1920s and 1930s. The main feature was the frequent use of abstract designs and geometric patterns. In addition, Art Deco was the era when contrasting colored gemstones were taken to a whole new level.

So it’s not uncommon to find bold designs that include square cut diamonds and rubies or sapphires, for example. And if you know a thing or two about age, it comes as no surprise.

The suffragettes and flaps did not want to wear cameos, tiaras and tiaras. After all, these were the staple foods of the Victorian age that offered a very different aesthetic.

Instead, the ladies of the Art Deco era coveted something that would match their short hair, even shorter skirts and other bold jewelry.

Ultimately, the Art Deco jewelry was there to show a new sense of self. And this rebellious spirit and unique style also captivate the hearts and minds of contemporary brides.

But if you want to become a true homemade Art Deco expert, you should know more about every feature of the era.

Geometric shapes

Without a doubt, the geometric shapes are the most outstanding feature of the style. And the really interesting thing is that there were no restrictions on the actual design.

Circles, squares, triangles, or rectangles – you name it, and the shape has likely found its way into an Art Deco engagement ring. But what is the purpose and symbolism of the aesthetic?

The idea was to showcase the zeitgeist of the time and offer a bolder, leaner take on jewelry. This is not limited to the ring design. The diamonds and gemstones took on unusual shapes to suit the era. Some of the cuts you might stumble upon include:

Baguette
emerald
sign
marquise
pear
triangle

In addition, eye-catching combinations of different cuts are very common in Art Deco engagement rings.

Colors in abundance

Contrasting colors are a hallmark of this style and add a bit of drama to these historical pieces. As I said, it won’t be difficult to find bold combinations of sapphires, diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Art Deco also contains lapis lazuli, corals, turquoise and jade.

Of course, not all Art Deco rings are two or three colors. But if that’s what you’re interested in, this era really delivers. However, some of the most striking examples are actually black and white. The artisans of the time achieved this by combining diamonds with black enamel or black onyx.

Compared to Art Nouveau, which preceded Art Deco, this was a major departure from the style. And these pieces carry sophistication and elegance that have the power to pass generations.

Precious metals

Nine out of ten cases, platinum was the material of choice for Art Deco rings. This precious material was preferred by artisans for its strength, malleability and wear resistance.

With platinum, jewelry designers of the time were able to create intricate embellishments and outlines without compromising the integrity of the ring.

For example, the visually fascinating combination that is representative of this era includes the following. A large center stone (usually colorless), solitaire setting, and a flank of symmetrical side stones that can be colored.

The paving was also common and developed during the Art Deco. And there were often smaller diamonds that were supposed to emphasize the beauty of the center stone.

But what if platinum doesn’t suit your preferences or your style?

Don’t worry, Art Deco pieces from the Depression years often have yellow or white gold. Some pieces are more affordable, but this doesn’t make them inferior to the earlier Art Deco rings.

Diamond cuts

Various Art Deco cuts have already been addressed in the previous sections. But the emerald cut and the round brilliant cut are the most popular options and deserve a closer look.

Emerald cut

Symmetrical contours and clear aesthetics stand for the cut. And the shape has a pronounced geometric quality that is reminiscent of the entire era.

The emerald cut has recently made a big comeback. If not otherwise, then the choice of Brad Pitt and George Clooney certainly helped bring the style back into the spotlight.

If you go for this cut, the two most important Cs are the color and the cut. Of course, you should be as colorless as possible. And at best, the diamond should be with minimal to no inclusions.

Round and pillow

To be precise, the Art Deco staple was the old mine cut. This cut is also known as the old European cut and is the grandfather of contemporary round diamonds.

Nevertheless, the period-based diamonds have a slightly different anatomy than today’s. For all hardcore diamond lovers, these Art Deco diamonds offer large bowls and small table facets. And they have low half facets and larger star facets.

But how can you tell the difference? It all lies in the way the diamonds reflect and refract light.

Upon closer inspection, diamonds that were cut during the Art Deco period have different light and dark patterns. And you’d have to flip them to see the discrepancy. Of course, you also need to understand what the pattern looks like in contemporary rings.

Art deco rings will impress your future spouse

The following pieces are some of the best examples of the Art Diamond Deco Collection from Estate Diamond Jewelry. The rings also offer anything you like about the style, and there is a piece that will suit every budget.

1. Bernex Ring

The Bernex is intended for those who look more subtly at Art Deco. The ring is made up of three stones and the middle one is an old 1.33 carat European cut diamond. It also has a GIA certificate and SI1 clarity and J color.

The diamonds flanking the center stone have a total weight of 0.38 cats. In keeping with the zeitgeist, this ring has a fine milgrain on the bezels. And there are engravings on the shaft.

This piece was handcrafted in 1925 and features a striking setting, diamond combination and intricate details.

2. Irving Ring

If you want to get a great Art Deco piece without spending a small fortune, the Irving could be your first choice.

The center stone of this ring is a natural Colombian emerald. The stone weighs about 0.66 carats and is cut. But the two rows of diamonds that surround the emerald could be even more fascinating.

The rows follow a square shape that defines the aesthetics of the ring. And the auxiliary gemstones excellently accentuate the deep green tones of the emerald.

This is a platinum piece from 1925. You will also get a fine filigree in the lower gallery and there are additional gemstones on the shoulders of the ring.

3. Bayside ring

No matter how you look at it, the Bayside ring is a stunning piece. First of all, it’s a medium diamond with 4.83 carats GIA certification. And now you should be able to guess the cut – it’s an old European.

A halo of smaller diamonds surrounds the center stone. However, the three baguette-cut diamonds on the side make this piece unique. The total weight of the side stones is a whopping 1.02 carats.

If you are wondering about the certificates, GIA rated this piece VS3 clarity and K color. In the lower gallery there is an elegant, openwork filigree, which is also present on the sides.

After all, this ring can easily become a collector’s item because of its weight, overall design, and value.

Get Art Deco Bling

Ultimately, Art Deco is the style that will stay here. The geometric nature of the design and bold color choices are sure to grab the attention of future generations. In addition, these rings have proven to be good investment parts.

Now that you have a good understanding of what to look for in an art deco ring. The hard part is figuring out which model will warm your loved one’s heart.