Antique 1920s Earrings
These antique 1920s earrings bring geometric styling and bright gemstones together in drops, studs, and sets.
Antique 1920s Earrings
These pieces encompass drop earrings, stud configurations, and matching jewellery sets created during the Art Deco movement. Most examples span the 1920 and 1930 periods, drawing upon Edwardian influences alongside bold modernist lines.
The dominant forms are articulated drop earrings and geometric clusters set with precious stones. Buyers encounter drop configurations featuring diamonds and sapphires alongside silver paste sets and marcasite accents.
Makers utilised a variety of configurations, including screwback fasteners and traditional posts, alongside convertible night and day drop designs. The overall aesthetic relies on symmetry, clean geometric drops, and contrasting colour combinations.
How they were made
The metalwork relies heavily on platinum and 18ct white gold to hold crisp diamond settings, while 9ct gold and silver appear frequently in combination with marcasite and paste stones. Chrome and bamboo design elements also surface among the material choices.
Gemstone selection defines the period, incorporating diamonds, sapphires, aquamarines, pink tourmalines, and emerald-cut citrines alongside jadeite, natural coral, chrysoprase, and blue zircon. Paste stones and marcasite provide colourful alternatives to precious gems in silver settings.
Antique 1920s Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for 1920s earrings among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some pairs feature bamboo-inspired gold work, proving that 1920s designers found geometric inspiration in the natural world.
What varies in quality
The standard of these jewels depends on the complexity of the platinum or white gold metalwork and the carat weight and cut of the central diamonds. Pieces featuring articulated drops and matching sets demonstrate finer workshop execution.
Material selection creates a distinct division between precious gemstone mountings in platinum and silver settings utilising marcasite and paste. The precision of the geometric arrangements and the clarity of stones dictate the tier of the piece.
The Antique 1920s Earrings Glossary
- Art Deco
- A design style from the 1920s and 1930s characterised by geometric shapes, stylised motifs, and linear symmetry. This aesthetic dominates the metalwork and stone arrangements.
- Marcasite
- Small faceted crystals of iron pyrite set into silver to create a glittering, dark metallic border. It provides contrast for coloured paste stones and central gems.
- Paste
- Hand-cut glass used as an affordable substitute for precious gemstones. Paste stones in these pieces replicate sapphires and amethysts.
- Night and day drop earrings
- Convertible earrings featuring a removable lower section that transforms a long drop design into a simpler stud for daytime wear.
- Screwback
- A mechanical earring fastener utilising a threaded screw mechanism instead of a post and butterfly clip. This closure accommodates non-pierced lobes.
Antique 1920s Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify Art Deco earrings?
Look for strong geometric lines, symmetrical drops, and calibrated gemstone cuts such as emerald and trapezoid shapes. The designs favour platinum and white gold structures over the softer floral curves of earlier eras.
Contrasting colour pairings like sapphire and diamond are also common.
What are night and day earrings?
Night and day earrings feature a modular construction where the lower drop portion detaches from the upper stud or cluster. This allowed the wearer to transition a dramatic evening piece into a modest daytime ornament.
Articulated joints often join the two sections.
Are these earrings for pierced ears?
The pieces utilise a mix of traditional posts and screwback fasteners depending on the specific design. Screwback mechanisms accommodate non-pierced lobes without requiring modern alterations.
Buyers should inspect the specific closure type listed for each pair.