Collection: Art Deco Era Jewelry

After World War I, the flowing lines of the Art Nouveau Era were soon replaced by the sharper angles and symmetrical, geometric designs of the Art Déco Era, circa 1915-1935.

The term Art Déco is derived from the Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), which was held in Paris, France in 1925.  Modern art was now being incorporated into jewelry design.

Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were commonly used along with diamonds in colorful, tutti frutti jewelry pieces.

During the Art Déco Era, Van Cleef & Arpels developed the mystery setting, or invisible setting technique, which allowed gems and diamonds to be mounted flush against one another, through a series of grooves and rails, with no metal being visible.

After King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922, it inspired a revival of Egyptian jewelry styles.  Scarabs, pharaohs, pyramids, lotus blossoms, and the eye of Horus were common motifs of Egyptian Revival jewelry.