Art Deco Engagement Rings

The Art Deco style emphasises geometry and paired back minimalist designs. The rapidly modernising world influenced jewellery designers of the time. Unlike the floral Edwardian styles that came before, Art Deco jewels emphasised simple angular forms and reduced decoration to a minimum. Art Deco designs play with the contrast of colour and material, using a mix of coloured gemstones set against the bright white of diamonds or platinum.

While many styles have waxed and waned in popularity, the minimalist aesthetic and easy wearability are just some of the many reasons why Art Deco jewellery remains popular today. Art Deco designs strip back any superfluous decoration that may quickly become outdated. Instead, the best Art Deco designs focus on the beauty of the gemstones, set to maximise their impact. Sleek and streamlined, Art Deco is the ideal choice for the timelessly chic woman.

The Art Deco period is usually defined as the years between the first and second world wars, in the 1920s-1930s. The V&A Museum in London, in their Art Deco Exhibition 2003, defined the Art Deco period as the years 1910 to 1939, from the end of the Edwardian era to the first year of Word War II. This was a period of rapid change and modernisation. During this time, women earned their emancipation and the right to vote. The automobile and aeroplane made travel quicker than ever before, and great steel skyscrapers rose from our cities. These changing times influenced artists and designers alike to create sleek, streamlined designs.

Jewellery of the time utilised bright, bold coloured gemstones such as red rubies, blue sapphires and verdant green emeralds, all set against the brilliant flashes of white diamonds. Art Deco jewellery likes to play with colour and emphasise unique materials such as semi-precious gemstones, aquamarine, onyx or amethyst.