Art Deco (1920s and 1930s)
The fashion forward Art Deco era saw the cultured pearl rise in popularity with Akoya pearls gaining a foothold in the market. Coco Chanel was the first to invent fashion jewellery, she wore necklaces of faux pearls and real pearls simultaneously and encouraged women to develop their own distinct style. This was an exciting period for jewellery as well as fashion, with women embracing a more androgynous look. The geometry of the pearl fits perfectly into this era with long strands of cultured pearls, a simple but effective way to add elegance.
