Retro jewelry
The bold gold jewelry of the late 1930s and 1940s: volume, rose gold and Hollywood glamour.
Retro jewelry, from the late 1930s to about 1950, replaced the cool platinum of Art Deco with warm gold, often rose and yellow together. Platinum was restricted during the Second World War, and designers made a virtue of gold: large, sculptural volumes, ribbons, bows, scrolls and tank-tread bracelets, set with citrine, aquamarine, ruby and small diamonds.
What to look for
Retro pieces look heavy but are often made of thin, hollow gold, so dents are common. Read more in our guide to the Retro period.
In the collection
Retro jewelry, available now
Related terms