Art Deco earrings are built on geometry: squares, rounds and long, symmetrical drops with clean edges, in the style of the 1920s and 1930s. RingDesire's Art Deco style earrings carry a carved glass intaglio in shapes like these, and each pair is made by hand to order.
Where the name comes from
The name is short for arts décoratifs. It comes from the Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, a design fair held in Paris in 1925. The style had many names at the time, and the shortened one became common decades later.
The look was a break from the past. The curving, flowing lines of the previous generation gave way to straight edges, symmetry and strong contrast. If you want the three best-known periods side by side, read Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco? A Quick Guide to Jewellery Styles.
What marks an Art Deco earring
- Geometry. Squares, rectangles, circles and steps, repeated with exact symmetry.
- Contrast. One strong colour against a clean outline.
- A long line. Drop earrings are often linked with the fashion for short, cropped hair in the 1920s, which left the ears and neck uncovered.
The influences were wide. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 brought Egyptian motifs into fashion, and the new age of travel, cars and ocean liners favoured clean, streamlined shapes. A square or round carved stone, framed by a plain border, fits that spirit well.
Art Nouveau, which came just before, is the opposite: curved lines and natural forms. The difference is explained in Edwardian and Art Nouveau Jewellery: Pearls, Lightness and Flowing Lines.
Art Deco style intaglio earrings
Several pairs in the intaglio earrings collection follow these rules. A few to compare:
- Green square intaglio earrings with 1920s Art Deco pearl drops and a simpler green square intaglio pair in a 1920s Art Deco style: the square is the clearest Art Deco shape.
- Purple round intaglio earrings, 1920s Art Deco style: a round stone in one strong colour.
- Small green round intaglio earrings in an Art Deco style: the same idea at a smaller scale, for every day.
- Pink laurel intaglio earrings, 1920s Art Deco style: the laurel wreath carried into an Art Deco shape. The motif is explained in The Laurel Wreath in Jewellery: What It Means.
Several of our titles name two eras at once, such as Victorian Art Deco. Read these as a mix of looks, not as a date. Every piece is newly made.
For a matching pendant, there is an intaglio pendant necklace in an Art Deco style.
How to wear them now
- Let the pair lead. Geometry is strongest when nothing else competes. Keep the necklace simple or leave it off.
- Show the line. Wear your hair up, behind your ears or cropped, so the shape can be seen. A long drop is partly hidden by hair worn down.
- Echo the shape. Square earrings sit well with straight lines in the clothes: a boxy jacket, a square neckline, a straight skirt.
- Mix gently. A square pair and a round ring is fine. Three different shapes at once is a lot.
- Choose the occasion. A small round pair works every day. A long square drop suits an evening.
Why geometry suits an intaglio
A square or round stone gives the carving a clear frame. The border is clean, so the picture inside reads easily, and the straight edges make the whole pair look steady and deliberate. The design is cut into the surface of the glass, and the outline around it keeps your eye on that picture.
An Art Deco pair as a gift
Earrings need no size, which makes them an easy gift. A square pair in one strong colour is a clear choice for someone who likes graphic shapes. A small round pair suits someone who wears jewellery every day. Each pair arrives in a gift box.
Care in short
Put the earrings on after perfume and hairspray have dried and take them off before you wash. Keep each pair in its box, away from other jewellery, so edges are not scratched.
What colour to choose
Art Deco looks strongest with high contrast: a deep green, blue or purple stone against a plain outline. A clear stone gives the cleanest version of the style and shows the carving best. For a closer look at colour, read our guide to choosing the colour of intaglio jewellery.
Ordering
Each pair is made by hand after you order and sent in a gift box. It is dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it, dispatch included.
Frequently asked questions
What is Art Deco jewellery?
Jewellery in the style of the 1920s and 1930s, defined by geometry, symmetry and strong contrast. The style takes its name from a design fair held in Paris in 1925.
What is the difference between Art Deco and Art Nouveau?
Art Nouveau, from about 1890 to 1910, uses flowing curves and natural forms. Art Deco, which followed, uses straight lines, geometric shapes and symmetry.
Are these earrings antique?
No. Every pair is newly made by hand in an Art Deco style. The title describes the look and not the date.
Which Art Deco pair is best for every day?
A small round pair. It sits close to the ear and works with most clothes. A longer square drop is better kept for evenings.
Why do some titles say Victorian Art Deco?
Those pieces borrow from both looks. Read the double name as a mix of styles.