If we were to choose a favorite period of the two founders of Rarequiste, it would undoubtedly be Art Deco (1920s-1930s).
That was the era of “The Great Gatsby”, the era when skyscrapers rose from the ground, and the era when women cut their hair short, smoked cigarettes, and drove cars. Reflected in jewelry and silverware, this style is called “Rebellion”.
🧐 How to recognize Art Deco at a glance?
Before Art Deco, the popular style was Art Nouveau, full of curves, flowers, and fairies winding like vines. Art Deco said “No” to this.
1. Geometry, Geometry, and Geometry 📐
The core of Art Deco is straight lines, symmetry, and geometric shapes. If you see a ring shaped like a rectangle, square, or radiating fan, with lines as sharp as architectural drawings, it is likely Art Deco style.
2. Strong Color Contrast ⚫️⚪️
Bidding farewell to the pastel colors of the past, Art Deco likes black and white distinction.
Platinum (White) + Diamond (Transparent) + Onyx (Black) + Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (Vivid)
This high-contrast color scheme is very much like the piano keys and tuxedos of that era.
3. Egyptian Revival 🏺
In 1922, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb shocked the world. Thus, elements such as scarabs, lotuses, and pharaohs were widely used in jewelry design. If you see something from the 1920s with a strong Egyptian flavor, it is the most typical Egyptian Revival Art Deco.
🧪 Material Revolution
The Art Deco period not only changed aesthetics but also materials.
- Platinum: Became mainstream in this period. Its high hardness can support complex openwork geometric structures (Filigree) without deformation.
- Synthetic Gems: Don’t be surprised, Art Deco period was very popular for using synthetic rubies and sapphires (Verneuil Ruby/Sapphire). At that time, this was a high-tech worth showing off, not representing cheapness.
- Bakelite: An early plastic. In the field of Costume Jewelry, Art Deco style carved Bakelite bracelets are now hot collectibles.
💃 Why is Art Deco timeless?
Because it is modern.
Victorian jewelry is too complicated and looks out of place with today’s T-shirts and jeans. But an Art Deco geometric diamond ring, or a Cartier-style “Tutti Frutti” brooch, even after a hundred years, still looks modern, capable, and full of power.
This is Art Deco, the past tense belonging to the future.
