The Art Deco period was an era from the 1920’s to the 1930’s. It’s style was based on the exciting global explosion of the unique architecture being built, and driven by the momentum of the ‘roaring 20’s’. The world was flourishing with a decorative arts movement that permeated every facet of the fashion and design industry. Camphor glass became popular during this time in history.
Camphor glass used in jewelry was inspired by the previous use of crystal quartz in the Victorian era. The glass was originally formed into various shapes, and then acid etched in hydrofluoric acid. This process gave the transparent glass a frosted look as is seen in the natural tree substance gum camphor, used in balms, lip protection, and insect repellent in the early 1900’s.
Most of the jewelry components are created in glass as clear translucent rectangles or other shapes with distinctive radiant designs carved on the back as an intaglio. The star pattern shows through the translucent glass, and a gem or symbol is often affixed in the center of the shape through an opening in the top. The camphor glass is then typically placed in an Art Deco style, filigree setting.
We have a nice variety of camphor glass jewelry pieces in stock, available on our website and in store. You can visit us and see them in person and try on the various styles we have, and learn about unique types of processes that were created over 100 years ago!