Art Deco, a prominent design style from the 1920s and 1930s, significantly influenced various art forms, including architecture, fashion, and jewelry. This essay explores how Art Deco transformed beaded jewelry, merging fashion with functionality. We will examine the origins, characteristics, materials, and lasting impact of Art Deco beaded jewelry.

The term “Art Deco” originates from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris. This exhibition showcased modern decorative arts and marked the emergence of a style characterized by bold geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and luxurious materials. Art Deco reflected the optimism and rapid technological advancements of the post-World War I era. Designers drew inspiration from various sources, including ancient Egyptian motifs, African art, and the sleekness of the Machine Age. ​Financial Times

Art Deco jewelers employed a variety of materials to achieve their distinctive designs:​Christie’s

• Precious Metals: Platinum was favored for its strength and ability to hold intricate designs. White gold also gained popularity during this period. ​GIADecolish.com+1Lang Jewelry+1

• Gemstones: Diamonds were commonly used, often paired with colored stones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and onyx to create contrast. Unorthodox combinations of stones were introduced, with many designs combining natural materials such as onyx, emeralds, rubies, jade, silver, ivory, lapis, and rock crystal with manufactured ones such as plastic and glass. ​Christie’s

• Synthetic Materials: The use of materials like Bakelite and camphor glass reflected the era’s embrace of new technologies and mass production techniques. ​Market Square Jewelers