Art Deco – Capucinne
Slip on one of our Art Deco rings and be whisked away back to the Roaring Twenties! These elegant, vintage Art Deco engagement rings and wedding rings are filled with elegance and purpose. Now a century old, Art Deco is one of the most iconic aesthetic styles in history. Imbued with strength and vigor, the Art Deco look is streamlined through the use of crisp edges, strong lines, and a mighty dynamism.
Discover rings inspired by this triumphant, forward-looking spirit!
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ART DECO
Emergence and Influence: The Art Deco movement originated in Paris, France, after World War I. It was a response to the flowing, organic forms of Art Nouveau and the industrial progress of the early 20th century. Art Deco embraced the modern age, combining elements of Cubism, Futurism, and other avant-garde art movements, along with influences from ancient Egyptian, Greek, and African art.
Cultural Significance: Art Deco was not limited to jewelry; it influenced various aspects of design, architecture, fashion, and even the way of life during the 1920s and 1930s. It symbolized glamour, luxury, and a celebration of progress and prosperity.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART DECO RINGS
Geometric Shapes and Symmetry
Art Deco rings are characterized by clean lines, sharp angles, and geometric patterns. Square, rectangular, and triangular shapes dominate, reflecting the influence of Cubism and the architectural structures of the time. Symmetry is essential, creating a sense of balance and harmony in the design.
Use of Precious Metals
Vintage art Deco rings often feature platinum as the primary metal due to its durability and ability to hold intricate detailing. White gold and yellow gold are also used, often in combination with platinum. These metals are carefully crafted and polished to create a lustrous finish that enhances the overall beauty of Art Deco jewelry.
Colorful Gemstones
Art Deco necklaces and rings showcase a vivid array of gemstones to add a splash of color and contrast. Popular colored gemstones include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, jade, coral, and turquoise. These stones are meticulously cut and arranged in contrasting shapes and colors to create striking visual effects.
Filigree and Milgrain Detailing
Intricate filigree work and delicate milgrain detailing are distinguishing features of Art Deco rings. Filigree involves the delicate shaping of metal wires into decorative patterns, while milgrain refers to the tiny bead-like edges that give a vintage texture to the piece. These ornate details add depth and texture to the overall design of vintage art deco rings.
Influence of Egyptian and Oriental Art
The fascination with ancient Egyptian and Oriental cultures during the Art Deco period is evident in the designs of rings. Egyptian motifs, such as hieroglyphics, scarabs, and sphinxes, were incorporated into the jewelry, alongside influences from Oriental art, including stylized flowers, fans, and pagodas. These elements added a sense of exoticism and mystique to the designs.
TYPES OF ART DECO RINGS
Engagement Rings
Art Deco engagement rings are highly coveted for their timeless elegance and unique designs. They often feature geometric diamond center stones, complemented by accent diamonds or colorful gemstones. The elaborate settings and intricate detailing make them a symbol of love and commitment.
Cocktail Rings
Cocktail rings, popularized during the Art Deco era, were large, statement pieces designed to be worn to glamorous parties and social events. They typically featured bold gemstones like emeralds, rubies, or sapphires, surrounded by smaller diamonds or intricate metalwork.
Wedding Bands
Art Deco wedding bands embraced the geometric and symmetrical aesthetic of the era. Art Deco diamond rings were often engraved with intricate patterns, filigree work, or milgrain detailing, reflecting the craftsmanship and attention to detail that characterized this period.
Dress Rings
Art Deco dress rings were versatile pieces that could be worn on any occasion. They showcased a variety of designs, including geometric patterns, floral motifs, and abstract forms. These rings were often adorned with colorful gemstones and showcased the creativity and individuality of the wearer.
QUIRKY ART DECO WEDDING RINGS
Art Deco rings can indeed be an excellent choice for wedding rings, offering a blend of timeless elegance, intricate craftsmanship, and unique design. Here are some reasons why it may be a good idea to go for Art Deco wedding rings:
Unique and Distinctive Style
Art Deco rings stand out with their geometric patterns, symmetrical designs, and intricate detailing. They offer a distinctive style that sets them apart from traditional or contemporary wedding ring designs. Opting for an Art Deco wedding ring allows you to showcase your individuality and express your personal taste in a truly remarkable way.
Timeless Elegance
Vintage Art Deco rings have stood the test of time, maintaining their allure and desirability for nearly a century. Their timeless elegance ensures that your wedding ring will remain stylish and relevant throughout the years, symbolizing a lasting commitment and enduring love.
Craftsmanship and Attention to Detail
Art Deco rings are known for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. The intricate filigree work, delicate milgrain borders, and meticulous stone settings showcase the skill and artistry of the jewelers from that era. Owning an Art Deco wedding ring allows you to wear a piece of wearable art that represents the pinnacle of jewelry craftsmanship.
Versatility
Art Deco wedding rings come in various styles and designs, making them versatile for different preferences and bridal aesthetics. Whether you prefer a classic solitaire design, a halo diamond ring, an elaborate pave setting, or a unique combination of gemstones and metals, there is an Art Deco wedding ring to suit your individual style and complement your engagement ring.
A Touch of Glamour
Art Deco wedding rings are synonymous with luxury and glamour. The use of vibrant gemstones, such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, adds a touch of opulence to the design. Wearing an Art Deco wedding ring allows you to have a piece of jewelry that exudes sophistication and adds a captivating sparkle to your finger.
POPULAR TRENDS IN ART DECO RINGS
Popular trends in Art Deco rings have evolved over time as fashion and preferences have changed. Here are some notable trends that have emerged and gained popularity within the realm of Art Deco-inspired rings:
Geometric Designs
Geometric shapes are a hallmark of Art Deco aesthetics, and they continue to be a popular trend in Art Deco rings. Square, rectangular, and triangular motifs, often with clean lines and sharp angles, are widely favored in Art Deco jewelry. These designs create a bold and symmetrical look that embodies the essence of Art Deco.
Baguette and Step-Cut Gemstones
Aside from the oval cut, baguette-cut and step-cut gemstones, such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, have gained prominence in Art Deco-inspired rings. These linear-shaped stones align perfectly with the geometric designs and provide a sleek and sophisticated appearance.
Filigree Detailing
Filigree work, characterized by delicate metal wire shaping, is a popular feature in Art Deco rings. Intricate and lacy patterns created through filigree add a sense of elegance and intricacy to the design. It often surrounds gemstones or fills open spaces within the ring, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal.
Asscher-Cut and Emerald-Cut Diamonds
Asscher-cut and emerald-cut diamonds are classic choices for Art Deco rings. These step-cut diamonds with their rectangular or square shapes perfectly complement the geometric patterns and symmetrical designs often found in Art Deco jewelry.
Two-Tone Metal Combinations
Art Deco rings frequently incorporate two-tone metal combinations, such as platinum and white gold or platinum and yellow gold. These combinations provide a striking contrast, highlighting the intricate details and adding visual interest to the piece.
Colorful Gemstone Accents
Alongside diamonds, Art Deco rings often feature vibrant and contrasting gemstones as main stone accents. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, and coral are popular choices for adding a splash of color to the design of an Art Deco gemstone ring. These gemstones can be used as center stones or in intricate patterns around the central diamond.
Mixed Metal Pave Settings
Pave settings, where small gemstones are closely set together to create a continuous surface of sparkle, are frequently used in Art Deco rings. Mixing different metals in the pave setting, such as platinum and white gold, adds depth and dimension to the design.
Engraved Patterns and Milgrain Detailing
Engraved patterns and milgrain detailing are enduring features in Art Deco rings. Intricate engravings, often depicting geometric motifs or floral patterns, add a personalized touch to the design. Milgrain detailing, with its tiny beaded edges, adds a vintage texture and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal.
Unique Shapes and Silhouettes
Art Deco rings embrace unconventional shapes and silhouettes. Marquise, hexagonal, and octagonal designs, as well as elaborate asymmetrical arrangements, are popular choices for those seeking a distinctive and avant-garde Art Deco look.
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE ART DECO RINGS?
Art Deco is a very bold, distinctive aesthetic, which means that a lot of people either love it or hate it. If you do like the Art Deco aesthetic, that’s reason enough to go with an Art Deco ring! But an even more interesting way of thinking about it is to imagine the qualities valued by people living in the 1920s and ‘30s when Art Deco was in style. These qualities included progress and futurism, strength, ambition, and a feeling of power and destiny. Art Deco was also strongly admired for its clean simplicity—reminiscent of machine efficiency—as compared to some of the highly fancy and showy aesthetic styles that preceded it, such as Art Nouveau.
ART DECO LIVES ON AT CAPUCINNE
Art Deco rings make an intriguing choice for people who love the vintage aesthetic. Many customers come to Capucinne seeking vintage Art Deco engagement rings or wedding ring sets specifically for that “early” vintage-inspired look before the mid-century modern style came to dominate.
FIND YOUR DREAM RING FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME
It’s time to say “yes” to a new adventure, with Art Deco rings by Capucinne! Find your dream ring or craft your own design with help from our artisans. We’ll help bring your vision for a vintage Art Deco engagement ring to life. Get in touch with us by using the Chat Now feature in the bottom right corner, or send us a message to discuss what you’re looking for and any questions you have.
