Art Deco Era:
Time Period: The Art Deco movement is sometimes dated to between 1920 to 1930, but its beginnings started around 1915 and continued into the 30s. While the styles of the time were in full swing between the 1920s and 1930s, and exploded in the mid-1920s thanks to the "Exposition des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes" held in 1925 in Paris, Art Deco rings may be found dated from 1915 and up to around the mid-1930s.
Description of Era: The artistic design styles of the day were heavily eclectic, even daring, and combined geometric patterns and lines with natural themes and shapes. This was an age of travel, exploration, economic booms and discovering new prospects. The world was experiencing a celebration of renewal and happiness post World War I and this awareness of new beginnings is captured in designs from the Art Deco era.
Art Nouveau influences from the early 1900s can be seen in many Art Deco styles too - a few in particular include geometric designs combined with ribbon, swirl and flower shapes. Motifs were also heavily influenced by increased travel, a growing interest in discovering other cultures, and the opening of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922. Many Art Deco designs contain Egyptian, African, Oriental and American Indian symbols, designs and patterns.
A bright and bold look was accomplished using eye-catching metal work combined with large diamonds and gemstones to create a style of geometric patterns and shapes. During the Art Deco years, yellow gold was not used often. Platinum, 18k and 14k white gold and sterling silver were most common. Colorful gemstones and gorgeous diamonds were used often in designs. Gemstones featured prominently in rings of the day, in addition to diamonds, included emeralds, sapphires, jade, black onyx and rubies. Crystal and mother-of-pearl were favored in ring designs throughout the Art Deco years as well and the channel setting was the most popular type of gemstone setting at this time. Art Deco diamond rings were generally made with stones cut with large top table facets and newer cuts such as baguettes, triangle cuts and emerald cuts. However, old world traditional diamond cuts are sometimes seen in Art Deco rings as well.
