Art Deco Platinum Pin
An art deco platinum pin brings geometric elegance and bright diamonds straight to a lapel.
Art Deco Platinum Pin
When you search for an art deco platinum pin, you encounter brooches, bar brooches, jabot pins, stickpins and convertible pendant pieces from the early decades of the twentieth century. These jewels showcase the characteristic geometry and linear discipline of the period, executed predominantly in bright white metal.
The versions most likely to appear on this page date from the nineteen twenties and thirties, alongside occasional Edwardian, mid century or earlier nineteenth century pieces. Makers utilised platinum for its strength, allowing intricate pierce work to hold numerous stones securely without bulky settings.
Many examples combine platinum with diamond settings, while others incorporate contrasting materials such as onyx, sapphires, rubies, pearls and gold. Forms range from slender bar brooches to substantial bow designs, arrow motifs and large cluster pins.
Materials and Technique
The making of these pieces relies on the pairing of platinum with hard gemstones, predominantly old cut diamonds, sapphires and onyx. Platinum provided jewellers with the tensile strength needed to create delicate, knife edge wire frameworks and millegrain edges.
Goldsmiths frequently combined platinum heads with yellow gold or white gold pin stems and mounts, particularly in hybrid pieces or fob watches. Stones were secured using channel settings, flush settings or meticulous bead setting within geometric plate structures.
The evidence shows these pieces span multiple decades, incorporating diamonds, sapphires, onyx, pearls and rubies set in platinum and gold.
Distinctions in Quality
Quality in these jewels rests upon the architectural precision of the metalwork and the integration of the gemstones. Superior pieces display crisp millegrain detail and perfectly balanced symmetry, where every stone matches the precision of its platinum channel.
The brilliance of the piece depends on the selection and weight of the diamonds and coloured gems, such as high zircon, aquamarine, rubies or pink sapphires. Finer examples maintain structural integrity without heavy reinforcement, preserving the lightness intended by the designer.
Cartier Paris·Liberty London
The Art Deco Platinum Pin Glossary
- Platinum
- A dense, durable white precious metal used extensively in jewellery manufacture for its strength and resistance to tarnish. It permits fine, secure settings for small diamonds.
- Millegrain
- A decorative technique featuring a row of tiny raised metal beads along the edge of a setting. This softens the transition between metal and stone.
- Bar brooch
- A horizontal brooch consisting of a narrow metal bar set with stones or decorative motifs. These pieces often feature secure pin stems and safety catches.
- Old cut diamond
- A diamond cut popular before modern brilliant standards, characterised by a smaller table, higher crown and open culet. These stones exhibit distinct facet patterns under candlelight.
- Fob watch
- A small pocket watch designed to be attached to a ribbon or pinned to a garment. In this context, the watch case itself forms part of an articulated pin.
Art Deco Platinum Pin: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an art deco platinum pin?
An art deco platinum pin is a decorative garment fastener dating primarily from the nineteen twenties and thirties. These items incorporate strong geometric motifs and durable white metal settings.
They serve both ornamental and functional roles on modern clothing, securing scarves, lapels and collars.
How do I wear a bar brooch?
A bar brooch is traditionally pinned horizontally across a lapel, jacket breast or heavy knitwear. The length of the bar distributes weight evenly across the fabric.
Ensure the pin stem engages fully with the safety clasp before wearing.
Are these pieces made entirely of platinum?
Many pieces use platinum for the decorative face where the diamonds sit, while incorporating gold for the reverse or the pin stem. This combination provided optimal strength and flexibility during manufacture.
Check individual listings for specific metal tests or hallmarks.
How do I care for antique platinum jewellery?
Platinum is exceptionally durable, but the old cut diamonds and softer stones like pearls or onyx require gentle handling. Clean them using warm soapy water and a soft brush.
Store each piece separately to prevent stones from scratching adjacent metalwork.