The Complete Guide To Buying An Art Deco Engagement Ring

Rings originating from the Art Deco era are often used for marriage proposals due to their vintage style, interesting design, and high quality. Although extremely popular, Art Deco jewelry is unique and may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to buying an Art Deco Engagement Ring. Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this era, including what features to look out for.

The History of the Art Deco Era

The Art Deco era got its name after the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in 1925. During the exhibition, an architect named Le Corbusier criticized the excess of colors and decoration, stating that objects shouldn’t have any decoration.

The term Art Deco wasn’t accepted until the 1960s, when it was first used to describe art dating from the 1920s and 1930s. Nowadays, Art Deco represents a period between 1920 and 1935, and it’s often referred to as a style of luxury and modernity.

Although short, Art Deco had a significant effect on history, architecture, art, and many other fields. It also had an enormous impact on how jewelry is crafted.

Features of the Art Deco Jewelry

The predominant material used for crafting jewelry in the Art Deco era was platinum, which became popular during the Edwardian period at the turn of the century. In addition to platinum, white gold was often used during late Art Deco era because platinum became too expensive. Since it was considered outdated, yellow gold wasn’t popular during this period.

The old European style was the most popular diamond shape, followed by cushion and Asscher.

Today, Art Deco jewelry is distinguishable even to novices due to specific geometrical designs. Namely, jewelry from this time frequently features distinctive symmetrical shapes. Artists were trying to turn away from the naturalistic motifs of Art Nouveau jewelry and create something different.

After World War I, people’s lives slowly returned to normality. A more hedonistic lifestyle was reflected in the jewelry, which became large, bold, and more industrial-looking. Due to technological developments, new techniques for crafting jewelry emerged. One of which was invisible setting, a technique that allowed gemstones to be embedded in jewelry without any metal being visible.

In addition, new techniques for cutting gemstones were developed, which enabled the creation of countless mosaics and designs. Custom gemstones, or caliber-cut gemstones that were cut to fit a specific design, became extremely popular during the Art Deco era.

People started traveling again, which impacted upon the materials and themes used for crafting jewelry. Gemstones and techniques originating from different parts of the world became widely available. These gemstones were used as both side and center stones, often combined with diamonds.

In our collection, we have several Art Deco rings featuring different gemstones.

For example, the Bonhomme Ring features a natural sapphire as the center stone and caliber-cut emeralds. This ring is also an excellent example of the symmetrical shapes that were popular during this period.

Another ring featuring a rare gemstone is the Berck Ring that showcases a ruby as the center stone and dates back to 1925. Although these rings were crafted almost a century ago, their bold style is still popular today.

Another feature of Art Deco jewelry is filigree, a detailed decorative technique perfected during the 1920s. Filigree of this era includes intricate patterns and designs and can incorporate small diamonds.

An excellent example of Art Deco hand engravings and filigree is the Lienz Ring. Beautiful patterns along the upper part of the band and the under-gallery reflect the ring’s style and complement its uniqueness.

How Much Do Art Deco Rings Cost?

Art Deco rings have a wide price range, depending on the material, the size of the stones, etc. Our Art Deco collection features rings that can fit any budget. For instance, the Tullamore ring costs $2,500 and is an original Art Deco piece. On the other hand, there’s the Bauer ring that costs $240,000. The prices can vary, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to purchase a genuine Art Deco ring.

Why Is Art Deco Popular Today?

Even though it was crafted decades ago, Art Deco jewelry is as popular as ever. Its bold style, clear lines, and distinctive shapes make the jewelry attractive. This style is related to luxury, extravagance, and modernity, which may be one of the reasons people enjoy it today.

Buying an Art Deco Engagement Ring

The Art Deco era is a symbol of prosperity, boldness, and revolution in various aspects. Jewelry created during that time reflects those changes. Art Deco rings are still fashionable and commonly purchased as engagement rings.

If you’re planning to surprise your bride with one of the rings from our Art Deco collection, you first need to decide on a budget. We’ve designed a ring calculator to help you with that decision.

The second and the most important factor is your bride’s style and preferences. Art Deco often features a fierce style, bulky rings, and different color and gemstone combinations. These rings will definitely catch the eye.

However, not all Art Deco rings are large and distinctive. For example, our Nampa ring belongs to the Art Deco era, but it is delicate and gentle. It features impressive, hand-crafted details and resembles traditional engagement rings.

Whatever your bride’s preferences, you can be sure you’ll find an Art Deco ring that matches them. Once you’ve discovered the perfect ring, always ask for certifications of its quality and origin. Vintage engagement rings usually aren’t cheap, and you should ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for.

An Art Deco Ring Can Never Be a Wrong Choice

In addition to their unique design and beauty, Art Deco rings represent a period of change, progress, and enjoyment. Although a short period, Art Deco has had a significant impact on the jewelry industry, and rings crafted during that era are still popular.

If you have any questions about Art Deco engagement rings, we’ll be happy to assist you.

Written by Benjamin Khordipour of Estate Diamond Jewelry.

The Complete Guide To Buying An Art Deco Engagement Ring

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