Art D'Eco Jewelry Collection
Art Decoratif d'Ecologie
The basis of our Art D'Eco Fine and Organic gold jewelry collection's design is the era of Art Deco, with Irthly's modern interpretation. The Art Deco design and style movement came into world recognition in the 1920's. Especially significant was the conference held in France in 1925: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts),where much fanfare ensued. The era in which Art Deco flourished was a dynamic one. Advances in many aspects of society interplayed with the character of Art Deco. Advances in transportation and communication allowed more people to travel around the world and discover many cultures and their design aesthetic which tourist brought home. Egyptian, Mayan, Persian, and other ancient civilizations were both a fascination and fad to integrate into contemporary design. Technological breakthroughs in manufacturing allowed other materials to be introduced and expanded the possibility of design. These breakthroughs also caught-on to government participation through building code and public structures. Contemporary artistic styles like Art Noveau, Cubism, Constructivism, and Modernism suddenly intertwined with these newly integrated advances, concepts, and enlightenments to create the wonderful broad amalgam now known as Art Deco.
David Alvarado believes that our current era contains striking similarities. Advances in technology and communication has allowed us to connect to other cultures and people, not on a superficial, conceptual level, but in a more direct way where we feel like an active participant in a global web of minds. Advances in biology, physics, and operational computing and robotics have advanced industry which is influencing all genres of design, including jewelry-making. Even similarities of the government’s role are taking part. Governments across the world are being critically evaluated, implemented, and deconstructed in an attempt to represent this epoch’s worldview and values.
Alvarado wants to play a small role in this Art Deco-like worldview by adding his collection to the cocktail of ideas and aesthetics.
All the advances that are influencing this Art-Deco-like movement have also influenced jewelry-making. Advances in communication and technology have allowed the consumers to connect more directly with the designer or founder. This allows access to the visions, inspirations, and concepts behind designs and collections. Consumers suddenly demand that the products and/or services have meaning and purpose. At Irthly, we value that accessibility and share with you our vision. Our ART D’ECO Collection follows the same inspiration as our Classics Collection: We want to raise the value and preciousness of birth and creation; and development and nurturing.
Advances in jewelry manufacturing have also played a huge role in jewelry design. Innovation in computer design, casting and printing, and lasers have significantly changed the jewelry dynamic. Some comment that this influence has made jewelry too commercial and aesthetically unoriginal. However, there are others that are taking great strides in using the tools to create designs that represent the times. Alvarado’s knowledge in advanced jewelry techniques has allowed integration of biological, organic materials to be introduced into enduring, fine jewelry. So similar to the Art Deco era where new materials were introduced into design and construction, Alvarado is introducing organic “Eco” material to his Art.
The Art Deco era was also characterized by the lavishness and grandiosity that opulence provided. That was both a great symbol of the human
capacity and possibility, and an evident display of income inequality. Alvarado does not deny that our field of art usually caters to the well-to-do, hence falling to similar negative connotations of the Art Deco era. Income inequality is something that needs to be addressed. Irthly addresses this concern by creating statement pieces, often containing material not often perceived as precious, so that the consumer can have a platform, a space, a possibility to address value, preciousness, and the role it plays in society. It is a near guarantee that someone will comment on your Irthy piece which will give grounds to voice your opinion on the matters of the world as you see fit. Alvarado states, “As fine jewelry designers, what we can do is provide a space where the wearer can give her or his statement regarding matters that matter to them.”
We hope you support and wear our designs that celebrate a certain resurgence of the Art Deco era. Irthly presents to you our Award-winning fine jewelry collection: Art Decoratif d’Ecologie: ART D’ECO.
Design Philosophy
The jewelry created in the Art Deco era continues to hold high esteem. With its lines and levels that contain in them lavish detail, collectors all over the world cherish them as one of the greatest jewelry pieces created. Alvarado is humbled by that fact and departs from such design. Instead, Irthly celebrates other design creations prevalent in the Art Deco era. Architecture, interior design, and other habitat accessories were Alvarado’s muse. 
Organic PalmIvory©, continues to be the focal material. This time however, the material design contains more depth. Layers and steps, facets, and machine-like curves, common in all Art Deco pieces, are featured in the Organic PalmIvory©. Metals and diamonds continue to be a point of accent instead of the body of the jewelry. Faceted gems take a greater role. Irthly’s frequent use of naturally formed and shaped crystal tourmalines and beryls (emeralds), and other faceted gems that effectively represent the Art Deco era, is the reoccurring signature of Irthly’s ART D’ECO.
Fabrication
As an Irthly signature for this inspiration, the eco-element is featured as the central organ and the “precious” materials serving as its complement. The eco-element is elected due to its opulence in the environment; how it plays a vital role in the eco systems of the world; and/or how it is often taken for granted and undervalued. Most importantly, the eco-element is chosen because it may be used to represent a concept, topic, or sentiment that should be treasured and considered as valuable as the jewelry we wear.
It is important for us to make sure that the featured element is not just an accent that is being held and secured by the conventional jewelry protocol. We do not want the element to be set in a basket setting on a piece of metal jewelry, for example. That would be just too conventional and it would make the element a highlight and not the main component. My passion and incessant drive to design stems from the challenge of making jewelry that has the eco-element as the focal component. Additionally, to raise the craftsmanship bar, all the organic material is fastened into the gold and platinum--There are no glues involved. The highest standards of craftsmanship has been implemented to make the jewelry endure.
The seed goes through an extensive refining process. It starts with the whole seed that gets sliced in a certain direction to take advantage of the most amounts of the seed. Then the process of selection starts. Not all seeds are pure white nor are they without any overly cumbersome grains, cracks, or gaps. So, akin to the selection of a diamond, we must search for the seed slice that has the purest of colors and beautiful grains, without too many cracks and holes. The selected seed piece then gets shaped and cut to the specifications of the design. Finally, the shaped seed gets polished to fine shine. The fastening of the seed to the conventionally manufactured metals without any glue is the most challenging of the process.
A combination of old-world hand craftsmanship and high-tech machinery and devices were required to achieve the challenge. Both are interdependent and indispensable for the success of the design.
Every piece of jewelry made is authentic. Each seed has its own grains and colors. For that reason, we place under our logo in the back of every piece a unique serial number.
Our products encompass the finest of materials and feature craftsmanship of the highest order. We have made a commitment to use recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds, fair trade gemstones, and fair trade eco-elements.
Made in the USA
The entire process of our jewelry is proudly made in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. From the world, to the world.
