A History of Engagement Rings Vol. 6: The 1930’s  

A History of Engagement Rings Vol. 6: The 1930’s

We’ve been patiently waiting to get to this edition of the History of Engagement Rings because….. ART DECO! Yes, the 30’s were smack dab in the middle of the Art Deco period and this is one of our favorite times for engagement rings. And we also get to talk about two of the world’s greatest jewelry collectors, as they married during the 30s. Let’s dig in. 

Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American, was known for a few things. 1) She was quoted as saying a woman can never be too rich or too thin. 2) She was a grand patron of the houses of Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and Harry Winston and 3) she was the reason the Kind of England abdicate the throne and stepped down, so he could marry her in 1937. Not only did he step down, but since he could not offer her the title of Queen, he instead showered her in jewels, starting with her out of this world 19.77ct emerald engagement ring by Cartier.

But there was another American that was also had a jewelry collection to rival any royal – Barbara Hutton. While we couldn’t find any photos of her engagement rings (she was married SEVEN times), she married twice in the 30’s and we’re sure they were absolute stunners. She did, after all, have the Pasha diamond. A diamond that started it’s life as a 40ct octagonal stone. Barbara had it recut to a round 38.19cts and set in a magnificent ring. Who needs an engagement ring when you have the Pasha?

Others to marry during that period were Lawrence Olivier, Mary Pickford, Norman Rockwell and Bebe Daniels. While images of engagement rings associated with those weddings are hard to come by, we’re certain they were fashioned in the style of the day, similar to those shown here (some of which are available on our website).

Do you have an Art Deco ring from the 1930s? Tell us all about it in the comments below or better yet, post a photo and tag us!

SaveSave