Maria Canale: The ‘Flapper’ Collection Is a Modern Tribute to Art Deco

October 29, 2018

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

Many of the fine jewellery collections which I study focus on grand gemstones and diamonds; making them the highlight of a jewellery creation. However, when a jewellery designer elevates an elementary precious metal such as gold into something new and exciting – yet timeless – this becomes a staggering feat in its own right.

Maria Canale – a seasoned jewellery designer based in the USA – is famed for her laconic aesthetic, which has been revered throughout her work in some of the most well-known luxury jewellery houses in the world. She has carried on this stylish minimalism in her own collections, the latest of which is ‘Flapper’. It is imbued with the dynamism, glamour, and innovation of the Art Deco movement, and the era in which it rose to prominence.

A selection of Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection jewellery with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

A selection of Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection jewellery with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection cuff with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection cuff with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection double bangle with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection double bangle with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelet with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelet with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bangle with baguette cut diamond in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bangle with baguette cut diamond in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection hoop earrings with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection hoop earrings with baguette cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection ring with baguette cut diamond in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection ring with baguette cut diamond in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection lariat necklace with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection lariat necklace with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection necklace with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection necklace with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Art Deco is an iconic style and artistic reference point that has been revisited across all creative fields: fine jewellery, fashion and architecture to name but a few. The clasps and buckles which Maria has chosen to decorate the ‘Flapper’ necklace and bracelets are a nod to the mechanical advancement of the age; their strong utilitarian look is a reference to the masculine design elements in both fashion and jewellery which began to surface during the Art Deco era.

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelet with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelet with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Before the 1920’s, the Art Nouveau and Victorian art movements showcased incredibly feminine, floral and fluid lines. After the First World War, women celebrated their newfound sartorial freedom – garnered through working while men were fighting – meaning that many Western women wore trousers and buckled belts for the first time in history.

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection necklace and cuff with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection necklace and cuff with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

At once juxtaposing and complementing the statement buckle design details of ‘Flapper’ jewels – long, pendulous, tassel- like chains were employed. They are comprised of miniature gold balls, and mimic the fringing which frequently decorated the clothing of dancers during the Art Deco era. This design signature worked then and now in the same way – freely expressing and celebrating the movement of the wearer.

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow gold

The yellow golden ball motif is a structural and steadfast design choice, being at once modernist and classical – the soft flexibility of the chains contrasts with the geometry which the baguette and brilliant cut diamonds provide. As creative as these designs evidently are, they maintain a wearability and a simple contemporary feel that allows them to be layered alongside other jewellery, so that these pieces can be worn in individual ways by jewellery lovers.

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelets with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection bracelets with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

The palette with which Maria Canale paints in her jewellery collections is always restrained, using only 2 or 3 gemstone and precious metal colour variations. However, the ‘Flapper’ collection is even more refined, and is entirely comprised of yellow gold and colourless diamonds. It is this streamlined approach to design which means that Maria’s jewellery always maintains a sophisticated and sleek aesthetic throughout all of her lines.

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection ring with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

Maria Canale 'Flapper' collection ring with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold

In her ‘Flapper’ collection Maria Canale focuses on the way that pieces respond to those who wear them – meaning that the drop earrings, the plunging necklaces and the yellow gold tassels which splay from bracelets have a life of their own whilst simultaneously attracting attention to anyone wearing them. The Art Deco-themed jewels are not just a selection of wearable pieces that can easily complement any outfit; they also allow the wearer to distill the atmosphere of the time to which it pays tribute.

VMAR: The Rise of a New Star On the Jewellery Horizon

continue reading

Forever in Bloom: The Timeless Charm of Flowers in Jewellery

Flowers may fade in a vase, but flowers in jewellery—they bloom eternally

by Hirshi Sujanti

Double Vision: The Art and Allure of Reversible Jewellery

With versatility driving today’s jewellery trends, reversible designs are enjoying a quiet resurgence. From transformable lockets to rotating rings and earrings that change with a flip, these reversible jewellery creations reflect a growing desire for multi-dimensional design.

by Joshua Hendren

Coloured Diamonds: Why They’re Rare, Valuable and Incredibly Collectible

In the world of diamonds, white may be the standard, but colour is where the magic really happens. From blush pinks and oceanic blues to canary yellows and rare violets, coloured diamonds are nature's most extravagant anomaly

by Claire Roberts

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.