Some Of The Most Popular Jewellery Designers Of The 20th Century

Fashion has changed immensely since the start of the 20th century, and that includes jewellery. Many exquisite jewellery designers though are still as popular today as when they first came on the scene, and you can still purchase their designs at specialist shops and antique stores. Below you will find some of the most famous jewellery designers from this era that may have you falling in love with the designs from yesteryear.

 

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Cartier

 

Cartier is a name that is still synonymous with high-end fashion today, and Cartier was known for using a wide variety of precious metals and gemstones in jewellery design. There is no type of jewellery they did not master, and the earlier jewellery designs are valuable, which makes them also highly sought after by collectors.

 

Cartier created everything from affordable centrepieces for the dining room table to exquisite one-of-a-kind designs for royalty across the globe. If you are looking for Cartier inspired style of jewellery, you can start looking at the reputable shops or dealers online where most collectors go to buy antique engagement rings and other pieces of authentic antique treasures. These stores will often have jewellery designs such as Cartier’s, which are excellent for popping the question to your loved one.

 

Boucheron

 

Boucheron started gaining attention for their beautiful jewellery designs in 1858, but it was not until the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels in Paris in 1925 that they hit the mainstream. It was the birth of the Art Deco movement, which heavily influenced jewellery design in this period.

 

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The jewellery design they are famous for in this era was a bracelet that was adorned with sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, that were arranged to imitate bubbles floating on water. Set against a background of enamelled rods and having diamonds along the edges made this piece stand out and was also the catalyst for Boucheron becoming one of the best jewellery designers in this period, and it was a massive hit at the exhibition.

 

Boivin

 

Jeanne Boivin took over her company after her husband died in 1917, and it soon became one of the leaders at the forefront of the jewellery and fashion industry. One of the most famous pieces the company designed was a starfish brooch that they completed in the 1930s and was designed by Juliette Moutard.

 

Claudette Colbert purchased the brooch after her movie “It Happened One Night” won an academy award in 1934, propelling her to the height of stardom. The beautiful brooch was made from gold, rubies, and amethysts and featured in the magazine Vogue an unprecedented four times between 1937 and 1945.

 

Jean Dunand

 

Jean Dunand was another designer from the Art Deco period, and he would design decorative arts, create portraits, and make exquisite jewellery. He worked on some high-end projects, including decorating rooms with lacquer on luxurious cruise ships, such as the Normandie.

 

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When creating a portrait, the subject would often be wearing some of his jewellery designs, which was an excellent way to advertise at the time. He embraced modern design while incorporating luxurious materials into them and soon became a name synonymous with beautiful jewellery.

 

There have been many excellent designers throughout the 20th century, and these are just a few of the best. If this has piqued your interest in jewellery from this period, visit your local antique jewellery store and see what pieces are available that were most likely inspired by one of the jewellery designing greats.