By Robin Kittler

Jewellery comes from an old Latin language and is pronounced ‘jocale’ in Latin. ‘Jocale’ means ‘plaything’.

‘Vintage’ jewellery includes many different periods of time. The styles of each period are defined by the manufacturing technology available and the skill of the stone cutters of the era.

Throughout the years jewellery has been worn for a multitude of reasons including; to display wealth, for functional reasons like pins or clasps, to demonstrate ones status or artistic display.

Art Deco Jewellery (1920’s to 1940’s)

Following the First World War economic and social pressures brought a new mood for a rigorous and clean-cut look. Art Deco was an innovative design style popular from the early 1920’s and 1940’s.

In this era jewellery was influenced by African, Egyptian and Japanese themes, it followed geometric designs like circles, squares and rectangles, sharp lines and bright colours.

Paris was the source and the trendsetter of Art Deco, which was later named after the ‘Exposition des Arts D