Art Deco Bracelets

During the Art Deco movement, an era particularly characterized by streamlined geometric designs and repetitive, boldly colored patterns, bright gemstones like diamonds and emeralds adorned bracelets. The Baguette cut gemstone became very popular, alongside the French cut, which consisted of geometric plans in line with Art Deco fashion.

In the decade and half that made up the period, the Asscher cut stone was also popular – it was named after Joseph Asscher, who was known for cutting the famous Cullinan diamond that's now part of the British Crown Jewels. The natural circumference of the bracelet allowed Asscher to incorporate consecutive repetitions of intricate designs.

Bracelets of the era also exhibited influences of ancient Egyptian motifs like cartouches and scarabs, as well as precious materials popular in the ancient world like pearls, lapis lazulis, and jade.

Quick Facts

• Art Deco gets its name from the debut of its hallmark designs at the landmark 1925 Parisian exhibition, the “Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes”
• The impressive early 20th-century Art Deco-style diamond and onyx panther bracelet, designed by Cartier in 1952 and once part of the Duchess of Windsor’s collection of jewels, sold for the record price of over $12 million in 2010
• While the Art Deco era is typically bookended between 1920 and 1935, the lasting influence of its ideas could be felt in jewelry design for generations following