Decked Out in Deco

Tanzanite dazzles in an art deco design

When she walked in, the party stopped. Her dress was slinky and silver; her hair was done up in a bob. Pretending not to notice all the attention, she approached the bar and asked for a coupe of champagne. After a few moments, I walked up and asked for her name. “Chloe,” she said between drags from her cigarette holder. Though everyone was done up for this 1920s-themed party, she had obviously put in the most effort.

I ordered us some pastis and we retreated to a cozy loveseat. It was only then that I got a full look at her. On her left cheek she’d drawn on a beauty mark. Her marvelous headpiece was constructed from peacock feathers and jewels. And hanging from her neck was this sensational octagonal jewelry.

Presenting the Deco Continental Pendant, jewelry that places tanzanite and white topaz in 14-karat yellow gold-finished .925 sterling silver. Tanzanite can only be found one place on Earth: remote hills in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzanite is no ordinary gemstone. Henry Platt, past president and chairman of Tiffany & Co., called tanzanite, “the most important gemstone discovery in over 2,000 years.” This jewelry offers a fresh take on art deco, one of the boldest and most beautiful visual styles ever. — Jack B.