Welcome back to the Diamonds Hatton Garden blog where we bring you the latest insights from our Hatton Garden jewellers. Following on from our buying guides to various fancy cut diamond shapes, we look to continue with our educational themed blogs with today’s article about how to choose an art-deco inspired diamond engagement ring.
Art Deco has long been an inspiration in the world of design and fashion and diamond engagement rings are no exception. Indeed, Art Deco style can be found not only in the gorgeous and timeless shapes of the variety of diamonds that capture style but the setting and mounts too.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco has its origins and roots in the 1920’s and 1930’s where it rose to prominence across architecture, design, fashion and jewellery. Characterised especially by sleek geometric lines and stylised forms, when we think of the style it casts our minds back to the roaring 20s complete with flappers, gorgeous dresses and a debonair look. Art Deco, with its influences in the intricate linear designs and flowing curves of art nouveau, is a timeless look that is infinitely glamorous and sophisticated. Over the last 10 years there has been a resurgence in popularity of the style within jewellery and diamond engagement rings as many seek to opt for something a bit different and forgo the round brilliant shape.
The Birth of Art Deco Design
The birth of Art Deco is commonly associated with The International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts which was held in Paris in 1925. The event took place between the esplanade of Les Invalides and the entrances of the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and on both banks of the Seine. There were 15,000 exhibitors from twenty different countries, and it was visited by sixteen million people during its seven-month run.The Style Moderne presented at the Exposition later became known as “Art Deco”, after the name of the Exposition.
Art Deco Jewellery Design
Seen through its bold lines and weeping curves, art deco deeply influenced the jewellery of the period and has shown no signs of waning. Elegant vertical lines, and bold, distinctive shapes gave rise to iconic, and striking designs. Typical of an art deco inspired diamond engagement ring are the fan patterns that accentuate the centrestone. Likewise, square, rectangular lines and curves within the shape of the stone further bring this style to life.
Platinum remains faithful to the period whilst white gold is often a popular alternative. Generally speaking, rose gold and yellow gold are not choices one would associate with the period as these colours and metals can influence the tone and colour of the diamond.
Art Deco Diamonds
Popular Diamond cuts such as the princess cut, emerald cut, asscher cut and cushion cut capture the gorgeous style perfectly.
Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Emerald cut diamond engagement rings are the perfect way to celebrate your love. At Diamonds Hatton Garden, our family run jewellers have helped generations of clients to find their perfect diamond engagement ring. The Emerald-cut diamond is one of the oldest of all of the diamond shapes and its origins can be traced back over 5 centuries to the 1500s. As the name suggests, the shape was initially devised from emerald gemstones. The name “emerald cut” was not used until the 1920s with the rise of the art-deco and art-nouveau movements. The symmetry and clean lines of the emerald cut saw the shape become a popular choice for engagement rings and other jewellery pieces.
Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Tracing its origins back to European royalty and perfected in the 1960’s, the princess diamond cut is one of the most classic and popular of all diamond cuts for engagement rings. This gorgeous square cut shape consists of four pointed corners and is often set in a simple setting with a claw on each corner to hold the diamond in place. Whether you chose platinum, white, yellow or rose gold for the setting the beauty of the princess cut will shine though. A traditional choice of engagement ring, the princess cut captures the essence of love, of refined beauty and is the perfect way to celebrate your engagement.
Asscher Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
The Asscher cut is one of the lesser known diamond cuts and is the perfect choice for those looking for something different to the more popular square cuts such as the emerald and princess cut. With a clean and elegant look, the rectangular facets allow for lots of light to enter the diamond creating brilliant sparkle and flashes. Typically associated with the art-deco movement, the Asscher cut has a wonderful vintage appeal. The timeless allure of the cut recalls this era of cocktails and glamour making for a wonderful throwback style. The angled and stepped sides create a mirrored look.
Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Cushion cut diamond engagement rings are one of the most popular choices for diamond engagement rings. The gorgeous shape, which can be traced back to the 1700s, is deeply feminine and captivating. Distinguished by their square or squarish-rectangular outline with curved sides that are either rounded or have slightly pointed corners, cushion cut diamonds are effortlessly elegant and classic. Modern cushion brilliant cut diamonds are distinguished by their square or squarish-rectangular outline, and include curved sides that are either rounded or have slightly pointed corners. In most cases, a modern cushion cut stone will have four or eight main kite-shaped facets between the girdle and its culet. But you can also see some versions of this cut that have been modified to include extra crown facets or more on the pavilion. These are distinguished as modified cushion cut brilliant diamonds.
At Diamonds Hatton Garden our team of family-run jewellers have assisted generations of clients to find their perfect diamond engagement ring. Contact our team via harel@diamondshg.co.uk or call +44 7951 060238 for more information and to arrange your appointment. Alternatively, explore our selection of fancy coloured diamonds for sale and if you are looking to buy fancy Pink diamond jewellery contact our team as well as viewing our latest Diamond engagement rings in Hatton Garden. Or contact our team to sell diamonds in London.