A Buyer’s Guide to Art Deco Engagement Rings
Introduction
If you or your partner love the fashion and style of the roaring twenties, you will fall in love with an Art Deco engagement ring. The Art Deco engagement ring gives homage to the days of flappers and grand parties. This unconventional, complex and elegant style makes it one of the most sought-after engagement rings. For those who want to glam it like Gatsby, an Art Deco engagement ring is a unique and timeless piece that you will cherish forever.
The Art Deco era was a design movement from the 1920s to the 1930s. The roaring 20s, as many call it, was a time of innovation and modernism. There was an increase in travel and other cultures, which naturally seeped into the era’s fashion. This was an age of exploration and the dawn of the machine age, which helped perfect filigree work using diecast. The inclusion of symbols from different cultures and, more importantly, architecture led to a complete diversion from the organic forms heralded by the Art Nouveau movement. Instead, Art Deco brought sleek, linear, geometric shapes reminiscent of modern architecture. These stylistic choices make the Art Deco engagement ring what it is and contribute to its elegance and unique nature.
What is an Art Deco Engagement Ring?
An Art Deco-style engagement ring stands apart from most other styles you will come across while shopping for the perfect engagement ring. The defining characteristic of an Art Deco engagement ring is the geometric shape influenced greatly by the period’s architecture.
Popular Art Deco Engagement Ring Shapes
The sharp, linear and angular structure of these unique rings has captivated the hearts since their inception in the 20s. Shapes like chevrons, triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles were prominent in art deco-style jewellery. These bold geometric shapes are often layered to create an even more spectacular, truly unique, complex effect.
Popular Art Deco Style Cuts
If you choose an Art Deco-style engagement ring, you will find that specific cuts are favoured in this jewellery style. In this era, jewellers loved the use of emerald cut and Asscher cut. The sharp, clean lines of these cuts make the Art Deco jewellery so special and unique. The unique step-cut of an emerald cut or Asscher cut allows for big flashes and a clear appearance, characteristic of Art Deco engagement rings and something that, even today, is quite popular.
Apart from the stunning emerald and Asscher cuts, you will come across the popular brilliant round cut in Art deco style engagement rings. This classic and timeless cut in the art deco period varied from the modern round brilliant cut we see today. The round brilliant in an art deco style engagement ring tends to have smaller table facets, and stones have larger culets, which provides a shifting pattern of light and dark as the ring is moved.
Popular Art Deco Stones
Although the diamond has always been a favourite, no matter what the era is. The Art Deco era’s aesthetic included a deep love for gemstones, like emeralds, rubies, sapphires and even lapis lazuli. The bright and bold colours are synonymous with the era’s dramatic aesthetics. You will also find that some Art Deco-style engagement rings incorporate bold contrast, which provides dramatic results. You can find stunning art deco-inspired engagement rings which use combinations like sapphires and emeralds or incorporate turquoise and coral to create a dazzling and truly unique piece. Art deco style engagement dramatically departed from the pastel and somewhat subdued colours of the Art Nouveau era. Art deco not only used bold contrasts using gemstones like emeralds and sapphires, but it also incorporated the use of black onyx and, in some cases, black enamelling to create a stark yet chic contrast. If you are a bride looking for something out of the Art Deco-style engagement ring would be perfect!
Popular Art Deco Metals
During the Art Deco period, there was a shift from using yellow gold (not that it wasn’t used). Diamonds were often set in platinum. Platinum was favoured for its resistance to tarnishing, and its malleability allowed for greater creativity. One of the most popular combinations of the era was the use of a sizeable colourless diamond, set in platinum, flanked by symmetrical diamond side stones. Platinum’s colour also allowed it not to overshadow the more elaborate and bold designs and contrasts of art deco-style. Moreover, it was a modern metal, which suited this progressive era. However, if you are looking for a more affordable alternative to platinum, you can use white gold or even yellow gold to create the same Art Deco style you want.
Popular Art Deco Detailing and Settings
Art Deco engagement rings, with their geometric designs and metals, provide you with the freedom to incorporate complex detailing like filigree and milgrain. You will also come across several halo styles complimenting the art deco-style engagement rings.
Art Deco-style engagement rings also brought back the sleek bezel settings, which perfectly complemented the geometrical designs. Bezel settings also help add another dimension of shine through the thin line of brilliant metal.
Gemvy’s Amaryllis Flower Inspired Halo Diamond Engagement Ring is the perfect example of an Art Deco-inspired engagement ring that incorporates milgrain and a geometrical floral diamond halo.
Another modern rendition of the Art Deco style can be seen in Gemvy’s Knife Edge Art Deco Filigree Antique Style 3 Stone Engagement Ring. This engagement ring has a unique circular halo with heavier use of metal. Like art deco-style engagement rings, it also incorporates the use of filigree, giving it an out-of-the-ordinary look.
How are Art Deco Engagement Rings different from Art Nouveau Rings?
The Art Nouveau design movement preceded the Art Deco movement. However, both styles have some common characteristics that make it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Art Nouveau engagement rings aren’t incredibly subtle, although they focus more on flowing lines and gentle curves. Art Nouveau also brought forth filigree, later used in Art deco style engagement rings. Apart from using filigree and milgrain, Art Deco focused on sharper and sleeker geometrical patterns.
How are Edwardian and Art Deco style engagement rings different?
Edwardian-era engagement rings and Art Deco engagement rings have several common features. Both Edwardian and Art Deco engagement rings are often made of platinum. Both usually have a lace-like appearance and fine milgrain detail work. Although the Asscher cut diamonds became more popular in the Art Deco period, they were invented during the Edwardian era and used in some popular designs.
However, both these designs differ in some key characteristics. Edwardian engagement rings feature curved lines and floral vines, whereas Art deco incorporates distinct geometric shapes. Moreover, Edwardian rings often have elongated oval shapes, whereas Art Deco engagement rings usually prefer emerald cut and rectangular baguette shapes.
Modern Day Art Deco Engagement Rings
Real, Vintage art Deco engagement rings are challenging to come by. However, there are several rings available today that are inspired by this style. Modern-day Art Deco engagement rings take the best of the art deco era style and blend the characteristics of other eras as well as the style of today, creating a stunning effect. Art Deco Style was bold and grandiose, and if you’re looking for something minimal, a modern-day art deco ring can provide you with the aura of the period with the simplicity and clean look you desire.
Gemvy offers several modern-day art deco engagement rings that show how timeless and classic this era’s style is.
1. This floral art deco-inspired engagement ring with sapphire accents is a stunning example of geometrical design. The use of sapphires as an accent reflects the unique Art deco character.
2. Gemvy’s Art Deco Vintage Style Double Halo Round Diamond Engagement Ring takes inspiration from the flat but well-balanced prong setting common in Art deco style engagement rings. The geometrical floral halos and the brilliant round-cut center diamond create a stunning piece.
3. Art Deco Marquise Diamond Majestic Round 3 Stone Engagement Ring at Gemvy is a modern rendition of an Art Deco engagement ring borrowed from other eras. The subtle nod to other eras creates a stunning and unique piece you will cherish forever. This ring has a higher prong setting which was not so common during the Art deco period; however, the use of marquise-shaped diamonds on the band reflects the era’s love of geometrical patterns.
4. Gemvy also has several floral-inspired engagement rings that could just as well be made in the Art Deco period. The Rose Inspired Flower Halo Diamond Engagement Ring not only has a circular smooth, and sleek geometrical floral pattern but also incorporates miligrain, a popular design detail during the era.
Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing An Art Deco Engagement Ring
There are certain things to remember if you consider committing to an Art Deco engagement ring.
First, original antique or vintage art deco engagement rings are difficult to come by and, if found, can be enormously taxing on your pocket. However, there are modern art deco rings to turn to, although these rings can also be costly, as it takes an incredible set of skills to design and manufacture.
Second, the elaborate design makes caring for an Art Deco engagement ring challenge. If there are different contrasting stones, each might require other cleaning guidelines. The small accent stones can be especially fragile, and If you have to take them to a jeweller for maintenance, you will have to ensure that the jeweller is experienced with Art Deco pieces.
Lastly, an Art Deco engagement ring is a unique choice; the elaborate designs, sharp angles and contrasting colours may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if the bride-to-be leads a more active lifestyle. However, if she has an eclectic personality and may have dropped a few hints about her love for Art Deco, this is the perfect ring to symbolise your hope for the future.
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