Art Deco Necklace
An art deco necklace captures the geometric clarity and material daring of the interwar years through diamonds, platinum and coloured glass.
Art Deco Necklace
An art deco necklace encompasses both delicate platinum pendants set with diamonds and bolder statement pieces featuring carved jade, rock crystal or coloured glass. The selection ranges from singular drop pendants on fine chains to multi-strand pearl arrangements secured by gem-set clasps.
Most examples date firmly between the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties, though the inventory also houses Edwardian precursors and later revivals. Common configurations include geometric link chains, lavalieres and matched jewellery sets combining necklaces with earrings.
Makers and designers of the period utilised unconventional materials alongside traditional precious stones, pairing silver and gold with bakelite, galalith and butterfly wing. Whether the focus rests on a solitary aquamarine or intricate filigree metalwork, these items reflect the distinct aesthetic shifts of their era.
How They Were Made
Craftsmen of the period relied heavily on platinum and white gold to construct lightweight yet robust settings that could securely house old-cut diamonds and calibrated sapphires. The metalwork often featured openwork geometric motifs, knife-edge bars and millegrain detailing.
Poured glass, paste stones and moulded plastics such as bakelite were shaped into vibrant drops and beads, offering accessible alternatives to precious gems without sacrificing visual impact. Natural materials including jade, nephrite and saltwater pearls were carefully drilled, matched and strung onto silk or secured with integrated gold and silver clasps.
Art Deco Necklace Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for art deco necklace 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.
Listings feature various lengths of gold and silver albert chains utilised as necklaces alongside traditional diamond and platinum pendants.
What Varies in Quality
The distinction between standard commercial items and exceptional pieces rests on the precision of the stone-cutting and the integrity of the original setting. Hand-carved rock crystal, flawless aquamarines and certified natural pearls command greater regard than moulded glass or assembled base metals.
Signed pieces and items retaining their original gemological reports or fitted presentation cases demonstrate superior provenance. The fineness of the metalwork, from delicate platinum fringe arrangements to heavy gold curb links, dictates the overall endurance and refinement of the piece.
R Lalique·Paul Brandt·Knoll and Pregizer·Argy Rousseau
The Art Deco Necklace Glossary
- Albert chain
- A heavy link chain originally designed to secure a pocket watch to a waistcoat, frequently adapted as a wearable necklace.
- Calibre cut
- Gemstones specifically shaped and faceted to fit tightly into a geometric channel or pattern within the metal setting.
- Lavaliere
- A pendant necklace featuring a central dangling stone or ornament suspended from a smaller secondary link or loop.
- Millegrain
- A decorative technique applying a fine border of tiny raised metal beads along the edges of a setting.
- Paste
- Hand-cut and polished lead glass utilised as a brilliant substitute for diamonds and coloured gemstones in period jewellery.
Art Deco Necklace: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a true period piece?
Examine the construction methods and materials, noting the presence of platinum settings, old-cut diamonds and traditional box clasps typical of the interwar era.
Assay marks and maker stamps provide additional clues, though many unsigned items rely entirely on stylistic consistency and material ageing to confirm their origins.
Can I wear these pearls every day?
Natural and cultured saltwater pearls from the early twentieth century require careful handling to preserve their lustre and silk stringing. Regular checks by a specialist ensure the clasps and threads remain secure during occasional wear.
Cosmetics, perfumes and water can damage organic gems, so it is best to put the necklace on last and store it flat in a lined box.
Are these items supplied with certification?
Certain higher-value pieces featuring diamonds or natural pearls include independent gemological reports confirming stone grades and origin. Uncertified items are described accurately by eye using standard dealer experience and historic context.
Checking individual listings reveals whether a specific gemstone report or assay document accompanies the item.