Art Deco rings, brooches, bracelets, and earrings from the 1920s and 1930s — platinum settings, old-cut diamonds, calibré sapphires, signed maker pieces. Period authenticity confirmed from hallmarks and construction. Stone quality assessed individually.
Genuine period Art Deco commands a growing premium over later revivals. We know the difference — and we price it correctly. Free insured postage. Written valuation per piece. Paid in 72 hours.
The Art Deco period (approximately 1920–1939) produced some of the most precisely crafted jewellery ever made — characterised by geometric forms, platinum settings, old-cut diamonds, and a stark colour palette of white, black, and vivid colour. Every type we encounter is assessed for period authenticity, stone quality, and maker attribution.
Geometric or architectural settings in platinum or white gold, typically featuring old European cut or old mine cut diamonds — the precursors to the modern brilliant cut. Millegrain bead settings and filigree metalwork are characteristic of the period. A genuine 1920s–1930s diamond ring in platinum with a quality old European cut stone carries a significant collector premium over a later replica or revival piece. We confirm period authenticity from hallmarks and cut style.
Geometric and abstract designs — articulated bows, stylised flowers, architectural panels — set with baguette-cut diamonds, calibré-cut sapphires, and onyx. The quality and precision of calibré cutting (where stones are cut exactly to fit their individual settings) indicates the grade of the piece. Signed brooches by named makers carry significant premiums; unsigned pieces are assessed on design quality, stone quality, and metalwork precision.
Flexible line bracelets and articulated geometric panels in platinum, often set with diamonds, sapphires, and onyx in the classic Art Deco palette. The articulation mechanism — how the panel sections connect and flex — is a quality indicator: fine platinum link bracelets with calibré stones represent significant jewellery-making investment. Condition of the clasp and the flexibility of the links are assessed, as is completeness of any removable centre sections.
Long drop and chandelier earrings in paste or precious stones — the era's fashion for dropped waistlines and bobbed hair created demand for dramatic drop earrings. Clip fittings (post-1930s) and screw fittings are period-correct; modern butterfly push-backs indicate later conversion. Paste earrings in geometric designs are collectable in their own right; precious stone drops in platinum settings are assessed individually for stone quality.
Art Deco jewellery signed by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, or Mauboussin commands premiums of several multiples over unsigned equivalents. British retailer signatures — Mappin & Webb, Garrard, Asprey, Collingwood — also add a measurable premium. The signature is typically found on the clasp, the reverse, or inside the shank. We research maker attributions and assess signed pieces against current specialist market references.
High-quality paste and marcasite jewellery in silver or white metal settings — geometric designs in the Art Deco style intended for everyday wear rather than precious stone equivalents. Marcasite (iron pyrite, faceted and set in silver) was extremely fashionable in this period. Quality of the paste stones, condition of the silver, and design distinctiveness are the primary value factors. Signed pieces from quality makers such as Theodor Fahrner command collector premiums.
Period authenticity is the primary value driver. Genuine 1920s–1930s pieces — confirmed by British hallmarks with date letters, or French, German, or American period marks — command significant premiums over Art Deco revival pieces from the 1960s, 1980s, or later. The distinction matters enormously in the market, and we verify it from hallmarks and construction methods rather than visual impression alone. An Art Deco revival piece in excellent condition is worth a fraction of a genuine period equivalent of comparable apparent quality.
Signed maker attribution is the second major variable. Unsigned fine Art Deco pieces are assessed on design quality, stone quality, and metalwork precision. Stone quality — particularly for old European cut diamonds — is assessed on the four Cs, with particular attention to the cut grade (old European cuts are appreciated by collectors for their romantic appearance rather than penalised for differing from modern brilliants). Natural sapphires and rubies are distinguished from synthetic stones where possible — synthetics were available from the 1910s onwards and are common in Art Deco pieces.
Front, reverse, clasp or fitting, and any signatures or marks visible on the piece. Close-up photographs of hallmarks are particularly helpful — we can often identify period and maker from hallmarks alone. Email us first for a preliminary view before posting.
We send a free prepaid, tracked and insured label. Your jewellery is insured to £5,000 from the moment the courier scans the parcel.
Your parcel is opened publicly on YouTube. Condition is documented on camera before any specialist handles your pieces — hallmarks confirmed, stones assessed, signatures noted.
Period confirmed, maker identified where possible, stones assessed, metalwork graded. Written offer per piece. Accept what you want to sell; we return the rest free. Paid in 72 hours or +3%.
Call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk.
Get your free pack →Genuine Art Deco jewellery (1920–1939) features geometric designs, platinum or white gold settings, old European cut diamonds, and calibré-cut coloured stones. British hallmarks with a date letter confirm the year of manufacture precisely — the date letter is the definitive test that distinguishes original period pieces from later revivals. We confirm period authenticity from hallmarks and construction methods, not visual impression alone.
Art Nouveau (1890–1910) uses flowing organic forms — flowers, leaves, female figures, natural curves — and favoured enamel and unconventional materials. Art Deco (1920–1939) reacted directly against this, embracing geometric precision, angular forms, and bold colour contrasts. Both are collected seriously but by different markets. We assess both periods accurately and can identify which you have from photographs.
Yes — quality Art Deco paste jewellery has a genuine collector market. The setting metal, quality of the paste stones, design distinctiveness, and any maker's signature are the key factors. A high-quality Art Deco paste brooch in original condition from a named maker can be worth substantially more than its material value alone suggests. Condition of the stones and settings is critical — missing or damaged stones reduce value significantly.
Significantly — signed Art Deco jewellery from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, or Boucheron commands premiums of several multiples over unsigned equivalents. British retailer signatures from Mappin & Webb, Garrard, or Asprey add a measurable premium. We identify signatures from close-up photographs and research the maker where possible to give you an accurate picture of what the signature adds to value.
The classic palette: old European cut diamonds, natural sapphires (calibré-cut and faceted), emeralds, rubies, and black onyx. Platinum or white gold settings were strongly preferred for top-quality pieces. Natural stones are worth substantially more than synthetic equivalents — synthetics were available from the 1910s and are common in Art Deco pieces. We test and confirm stone origin where possible and note synthetic stones honestly in our valuation.
Within 72 hours of your parcel going live on our YouTube channel — guaranteed. If we miss that window, we add 3% to your total.
Period confirmed from hallmarks, stones assessed, maker identified where possible. Written offer per piece. Open live on YouTube. Paid within 72 hours.