The 2020s are here and the 1920s are roaring back into fashion. A century after this high flying decade and there’s a renewed interest in all things jazz age, Gatsby and Art Deco. We’ve seen a particularly strong interest in Art Deco-inspired engagement rings and jewelry. But there can be a confusing overlap between Edwardian and Art Deco aesthetics.

So, what exactly makes an Art Deco ring, Art Deco? 

Art Deco first gained popularity after the end of WWI, around 1920. This style dominated aesthetic trends until the beginning of WWII. Bright colors, clean geometric designs and ornate patterned detailing are all associated with the movement. Art Deco’s ultimate aim was to showcase modernity. This focus on sleek modernness, led designers to juxtapose unique elements of minimalism and maximalism.

The movement changed the course of design and became ubiquitous within the 1920s and 30s. Art Deco influenced everything from architecture to home appliances, and of course, jewelry. 

The Art Deco movement evolved from the Edwardian movement, which favored large, highly detailed, organic diamond shapes, like oval and round diamonds, and soft intricate designs. Art Deco rings stood out in stark contrast, with their bold, geometric shapes, sharp angles and modern patterns. 

But what makes an Art Deco ring, Art Deco? Here are 6 key trends that distinguish Art Deco jewelry from other aesthetic movements.

*Spoiler: these styles are classic and are gorgeous at any time period. 

Colorful Gemstones

If you’re a fan of the colorful engagement ring trend that has recently been gaining momentum, chances are you love Art Deco engagement rings. These rings combined diamonds with colorful engagement rings such as sapphires, emeralds, onyx and rubies. Engagement rings from the Art Deco movement incorporated unique and striking pops of color with contrasting gemstones, giving engagement rings an added element of drama. 

Halos

Although Edwardian styles frequently featured diamonds encrusted throughout their design, our modern interpretation of the engagement ring halo draws its roots from Art Deco engagement rings. With their symmetrical, linear design, modern halos evoke imagery from engagement rings from the 1920s and 30s. The connected line of diamonds surrounding a larger center stone fits in with Art Deco engagement rings.

Fancy Cut Diamonds

The phrase Art Deco is synonymous with geometric shapes. This is especially apparent among Art Deco engagement rings. Jewelry from this era favors bold and sleek geometric shapes, including emerald-cut diamonds, asscher cuts, pear, trillion and marquise shapes, and baguette accent diamonds. 

Geometric Patterns

Much like the geometric diamond shapes that shaped the engagement ring aesthetic of the era, geometric patterns also remained popular. Art Deco engagement rings frequently incorporate geometric patterns and symmetrical side stones into their design.  

White Metals

Prior to the 1920s, the only white metal available was platinum. Platinum has historically remained far more expensive than gold, due to both its rarity and density. This meant those who could not afford a platinum setting could only opt for yellow gold jewelry. However,  jewelers first developed the means to plate white gold in the 1920s. 

This innovation opened the door to countless new ring shoppers who could finally afford a white metal alternative to yellow gold. Consequently, the demand for white metals dramatically increased during this time period. During the 1930s, an increasing number of shoppers opted for white gold as a result of the economic hardships associated with the time. At Buchroeders, we can custom create any engagement ring in either white gold or platinum, to fit your budget.

Bezel Settings

Bezel settings mark another modern trend that fits in perfectly with the Art Deco movement. Although the innovation of the bezel setting far predates the 1920s, as the oldest known jewelry setting, bezel settings remained particularly popular during the Art Deco era. And with their clean, sophisticated and symmetrical design, it’s easy to see why these gorgeous bezel settings would fit right in with Art Deco engagement rings. Bezel set engagement rings from this period also featured fillagree elements to add more texture to the ring.