One of my favorite periods in jewelry, and, in fact in all art from advertising to fashion and architecture, is the Art Deco period. As an outgrowth of WWI, this style predominated in the years between 1920 and 1930. Characterized by geometric patterns in bold and striking color combinations, the Art Deco period suggested a practicality departing from the dreamy fantasy of the earlier Art Nouveau period.
My Deco-inspired brooch below is based on a hexagon, one of the basic shapes in a snowflake. The diagonal bars of bead-set melee diamonds suggest icicles. Black onyx echoes the hexagon shape and contributes a visual foil to the white sparkle of the brooch:
Other characteristics of the Art Deco period in jewelry include:
- Sleek, streamlined look, emphasizing the vertical line
- Gemstones including diamonds, black onyx, lapis lazuli, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, jade, turquoise and topaz
- Carved or cabochon-cut colored gemstones
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