Automotive Motif of the Art Deco Period

During the Art Deco Period within jewelry, automotive motifs became popular as a result of the first ever automobile.  This era occurred during the 1920s & 1930s.  I love all the vintage possibilities of this motif, and many of them are in the form of charms.  During my trip to California, I was wooed by the awesomeness of the Blue Angels jets as they tore up the sky (it literally sounded like they were tearing up the sky!)  At the Miramar Air Show I also got to see WWII war planes flying through the air.  Not only did that sight sort of transported me back in time, but it helped me to understand why planes were made into pieces of jewelry.

{14k yellow gold British taxi, Price: $205 from CHARMCO}

{14k yellow gold with rubies airplane, Price: $215 from CHARMCO}

{14k yellow gold cruise ship, Price: $205 from CHARMCO}

{18k yellow gold propeller with diamond, Price: $225 from CHARMCO}

{14k yellow gold double-decker bus that opens, Price: $200 from Beladora2}

Jewelry Lookbook: Vintage Ring Overload

If I could have anyone’s jewelry collection it would definitely be Mary-Kate and/or Ashley Olsen’s. Everytime they are photographed, the jewelry that they wear is ecclectic and bold, and almost always vintage. Sure there are other celebrities out there that have to die for diamond rings–with monsterous center stones worth millions. But that doesn’t lure me. I like the uniqueness of the Olsen’s jewelry choices. Each seems as though it has an enchanting story behind it from years passed. These vintage rings, all from Israel Rose, seem as though they all belong on Mary-Kate or Ashley’s finger. Enjoy!

This sapphire and diamond ring is set in platinum, dating back to the Art Deco Era. The diamonds are great because they are Old Mine cut, which you don’t see anymore. The sapphires are French cut. Price: $925

From the Victorian Era comes this 18k yellow gold serpant ring. The Olsens have been seen wearing several snake rings. This one has 3/4 carats of sapphire. Price: $650

Now from the Edwardian time period, this sapphire and diamond ring is done in 18k yellow gold and platinum. The center sapphire is a Cushion cut. Very elegant and dainty. Price: $425

Jewelry Time Periods: Art Deco Era

Photo courtesy of Lang Antiques

A favorite decorative period of mine is the Art Deco Era, which sprang from the end of WWI. Bouncing back from war efforts, where women desperately had to take over men’s jobs and jewelry production was put on hold, the Art Deco period is characterized by decadence. This period encompasses the 1920s-1930s, during which women gained the right to vote, 15 million new cars were registered and hit the roads (1920-1929), many stock market fortunes were made, all while people danced the Charleston. As you can tell, the jewelry reflected what was happening–especially fashion. The “flapper” style was all the rage. Women rebelled by wearing short dresses, red lipstick, and bobbed hair. Bracelets were piled on, both on the upper and lower arms. Earrings, particularly a dangle style, were popular because of the shorter hairstyles.

As the economy and stock market fourished, Americans continued to spend frivolously, while borrowing heavily. As a result, the stock market crashed. The Great Depression loomed, and the lavish living of the roaring twenties had come to a dramatic halt.

Some motifs and distinctive elements of this time period:

• geometric shapes- as influenced by Cubism
• white-on-white: platinum with diamonds, this time adding emeralds, sapphires or rubies as well
• coral + diamonds, turquoise + sapphires
• black enamel to contrast bright gemstone colors
• Egyptian motifs, scarab, sphinx & falcon, as influenced by King Tut’s tomb discovery in 1923
• Eastern influences- carved gemstones and jade
• automotive motifs- autos, planes, gazelles, arrows & panthers
• dress clips
• convertible sautoirs- long necklaces that could be taken apart forming a bracelet, choker & pendant
• cocktail watches- diamond encrusted watches

Important People of the Time:

• Raymond Templier
• Frederic Desprès
• Jean Dunand
• Paul Brandt
• Gerald Sandoz

Important Jewelry Houses of the Time:

• Cartier
• Tiffany & Co.
• Winston
• Van Cleef & Arpels
• Black Starr & Frost
• Shreve, Crump & Low

Glimpse into the Past: Retro Buckle Bracelets

We’ve seen mesh belts and bracelets,  but the combination of those two things creates the retro buckle bracelet, popular in the 40s and 50s.  Glam Hollywood starlets decked out their wrists with this look.  The buckle motif is still trendy today.  Below you’ll find some amazing examples of the retro buckle bracelets.

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels with sapphires, diamonds and 18k yellow gold! This bracelet is all about the details: the round sapphires are set in a star setting on hexagonal links, the “buckle” part is bold, with 1.35 carats of diamonds. With 12.5 carats of sapphires to top it all off, any interested party is going to have to request a price check on this piece, from Beladora.

Circa 1945, this buckle bracelet is done in 14k rose gold and platinum from The Three Graces. Although it is not an authentic Cartier piece, this one is almost identical. It can be adjusted to fit your wrist, with its largest size extending to 8.25 inches. The red stones are rubies, with 19 diamonds total. Price: $6250

This bracelet is stunning, from Connoisseur Antiques available at 1stdibs. I like how the buckle is floral, rather than a typical buckle. Everything is set in 18k gold with 3.25 carats of diamonds! Price: $6600

A great alternative to the more expensive and bold choices is this buckle bracelet. The sapphires and diamonds are minimal–the gold mesh is the main focus, which is done in 14k white and yellow. From Lang Antiques, priced at $1450.

eBay Steals & Deals of the Week!

Wow has eBay really impressed me with their selection of vintage jewelry this week.  Finally!  I feel like there was not much being offered these past few weeks.  I’ve put these items on my radar and may even bid myself.  I will add the seller names below the photos.  Try your hand at “treasure hunting” on eBay, and post your finds in the comments section.

Art Deco Brooch, seller: lonestarestates

1940s diamond ring, seller: alexanderauctions

Art Deco Sapphire & Diamond Ring, seller: jewelryagain

Ross-Simons Holiday Preview is here!

Holiday catalogs are already circulating and Ross-Simons is not skimping on all the goodies this year! So many great choices in the holiday preview, whether you want gold, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, or rubies under your tree. I have a few favorites of my own…they are shown below. If you are a fan of Ross-Simons, let me know about your shopping experience and your jewelry purchases. Do you have any holiday favorites?

Anything personalized makes a great holiday gift, and since monograms and name plates are very trendy, these make the perfect pair of earrings. They are done in 14k yellow gold. Pricetag is $315, but sales do run often, so be on the lookout.

Snake rings are necessary. This is probably the cutest one out there right now. I bought a snake ring on eBay and was very disappointed and returned it. It was so huge, it scaled down to my knuckle and up half my finger. This one looks like it would fit perfectly, while continually being timeless. This one is priced at $236 and is 14k white gold and diamonds.

Don’t these earrings look like they are vintage, art deco? They are actually not vintage, but they have a great vintage style to them. Onyx, coral and diamonds combined with white gold make these new earrings seem like a peek into the past. They dangle 1.75 inches and are priced at $175.

Will you find any of these under your tree this year?