Find our more about the ARt & DEsign COmpany

Our JEWELRY DRAWINGS & STORIES behind

In our search for UNIQUE DESIGNS to artistically transform into UNIQUE HANDMADE JEWELRY, we chose the SCARAB SYMBOL at the beginning of our jewelry journey, a symbol we have since incorporated into a huge variety of HANDCRAFTED pieces. The SCARAB has been associated with the SUN GOD RA since ancient EGYPTIAN CULTURE and represents EXISTENCE, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, and GROWTH. It symbolizes the CONSTANT CYCLE of life and death. According to legend, those who wear the scarab symbol are PROTECTED by superhuman POWERS. During the BRONZE AGE, this SYMBOL spread to the Mediterranean and the Middle East and has since become an INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL, experiencing strong revivals in FRANCE and the USA in the 19th century and a worldwide RENAISSANCE during the ART DÉCO MOVEMENT of the 1920s.

ARDECO Scarab Nature — How is unique symbolic jewelry created?

A century later, we’ve integrated this extraordinary animal symbol into a super-fashionable, multicolored glass bead design as the MIYUKI BRACELET, now available in dozens of trendy colors like YELLOW, GRANATE, GREEN, RED & BLITZ BLUE, and changing SUMMER and WINTER COLLECTIONS. A real eye-catcher, you’re already “dressed” with this MASTERPIECE ON YOUR WRIST, especially when paired with trendy JEANS with a one-colored TOP or a one-colored DRESS! Each bracelet is a true MASTERPIECE. It is meticulously hand-threaded with great precision from 2,000 Miyuki beads, which are cylindrically cut and thus beautifully combine to form the SCARAB DESIGN. Our BRACELETS always feature a flexible pull closure, suitable for all wrist sizes, and we also create CUSTOM-MADE MIYUKI rings or MIYUKI earrings for you in our jewelry workshop in Salzburg in MATCHING COLORS. As vividly captured in the colorful hand-drawn sketch by Dr. Peter Rathgeb in September 2021 during the JEWELRY CREATION PROCESS, the lines, shapes, and grids of the SCARAB strongly evoke the ART-DÉCO-FOUNDING-ERA, with its interpretation of UNIQUE DESIGNS in both handcrafted and industrial goods.

Following this first important DESIGN STEP IN SALZBURG after the MIYUKI bracelet FURTHER SCARAB DESIGNS were created. Here, we focus on a UNIQUE COMBINATION of precious metals and, for the first time, GENUINE ETHIOPIAN OPALS, which are unmistakable in their SHINE and COLOR. In ANCIENT GREECE, iridescent color variations were called “Opallios,” which can be freely interpreted as “seeing a change of color”—hence the name opal. Combined with CERTIFIED PRECIOUS METALS GOLD AND SILVER, we can showcase these UNIQUE NATURAL GEMSTONES in an elegant pendant with CHAIN, RING, AND EARRINGS. Here, the SCARAB is showcased in a very special way, displaying its typical natural characteristics: UNIQUELY IRIDESCENT and simultaneously NATURALLY CONCENTRATED, it represents an incomparable living being that has always been perceived and interpreted by humankind as something truly SPECIAL, UNIQUE AND DIVINE. This ARDECO OPAL JEWELRY is particularly well-suited to elegant occasions, from evening gowns to traditional trachten outfits, ideally in a single color or coordinated with the same COLORS AS THE UNIQUE STONE COLORS.

SCARAB OPAL JEWELRY from ARDECO

A rose gold ring featuring an oval opal stone at the center, surrounded by three small sparkling diamonds.

Jewelry Trends 2027 & 2028

Are you looking for unique, handmade jewelry that perfectly complements your personal style? We’ll show you WHICH RINGS, BRACELETS, NECKLACES, AND EARRINGS WILL BE AMONG THE BIGGEST JEWELRY TRENDS OF 2027 AND 2028. Secure some unique pieces and TREAT YOURSELF—OR A LOVED ONE—TO SOMETHING DISTINCTIVE, HANDMADE, BEAUTIFUL, AND RIGHT ON TREND.

JEWELRY IS A DEEPLY PERSONAL ELEMENT OF ANY LOOK—and that is precisely what makes it SO EXCITING AND DISTINCTIVE. It often tells personal stories and holds special meaning, yet it can also express a sense of style and make an OUTFIT APPEAR EVEN MORE EXCITING AND HARMONIOUS. From disco-style statement earrings and nostalgic Baroque pearl necklaces to hand-threaded glass bead bracelets in the season’s trendiest colors—here are the five biggest jewelry trends for the coming years, presented by ARDECO:

1.Nostalgic Pearl necklaces

Baroque pearls are TRUE JEWELRY CLASSICS. Expertly HAND-KNOTTED into exquisite necklaces, they PAIR PERFECTLY WITH ELEGANT OUTFITS, ENSURING A DAZZLING LOOK WHETHER WORN WITH A DRESS OR A SOPHISTICATED BODYSUIT. With genuine pearls, you are guaranteed a truly unique piece; just like people, every single item of jewelry is ENTIRELY INDIVIDUAL. When it comes to clasps, look for precious metals—specifically gold or silver. Here is the ARDECO pearl necklace—a brilliant choice for festive occasions:

2.Lots of color on the arm, perfectly coordinated with the outfit

FASHION JEWELRY IS A GREAT OPTION TOO — for instance, on the wrist — provided it is unique, beautifully crafted, and STUNNING… and, of course, ideally HANDMADE! For example, when glass beads are strung by hand, you can CREATE FANTASTIC BRACELETS THAT MATCH THE SEASON’S TRENDY COLORS, featuring a practical, flexible sliding clasp that fits any wrist size. At ARDECO, we love pairing these with winter outfits by focusing on warm tones like TIERRA, IVORY, MOCHA MOUSSE, AND GOLD.

3.Chunky earrings

UNIQUE SPARKLING DESIGNS and DISCO EARRINGS have long been a part of everyday life, adding that SPECIAL TOUCH TO EVERYTHING FROM EXECUTIVE OUTFITS TO A CLASSIC, STYLISH T-SHIRT and jeans. Only true jewelry experts know how to craft these stunning eye-catchers so that they are lightweight and comfortable to wear, featuring the perfect clasp. Crafted from silver and gold in our workshop:

And to complement ELEGANT, solid-colored DARK OUTFITS, we recommend the ARETAS LARGAS LEOPARD earrings featuring a UNIQUE DESIGN made of hand-strung MIYUKI glass beads.

4.Color Stones

IT’S GREAT TO BE COLORFUL—PROVIDED IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL—and ideally, the pieces should be made of genuine gemstones! RAINBOW BRACELETS, WITH THEIR VERSATILE ABILITY TO COMPLEMENT A WIDE RANGE OF COLORS, HAVE LONG BEEN A STAPLE IN THE COLLECTIONS OF FORWARD-THINKING JEWELRY STORES, and they are sure to continue adorning display cases for years to come. At ARDECO, we have chosen silver, gold, and precious stones—such as peridot, blue topaz, garnet, and citrine—each measuring 5 mm in diameter.

JADE earrings are natural and lightweight, and they PAIR BEAUTIFULLY WITH MANY ELEGANT OUTFITS.

5.Bold statement rings

RINGS should be beautiful and, moreover, EXPRESS SOMETHING and TELL STORIES—stories of and for unique individuals. That is why they can be BOLD, INTRICATE, and DISTINCTIVE. When the design successfully combines this with an elegant look, it is a complete triumph —a piece that pairs perfectly with any OUTFIT. You are wearing something TRULY SPECIAL on your finger! At ARDECO, we focus on the BETTER TOGETHER line, where hand-forged silver meets high-quality gold alloys to add that SPECIAL TOUCH to friendships and partnerships.

A lifestyle becomes a JEWELRY Collection

Peter Rathgeb talks in the frequently reprinted INTERVIEW about the new ARDECO HOME jewelry line by ARDECO FINEST and the background of this incredibly FASCINATING JEWELRY DESIGN LINE.

The ARDECO HOME jewelry series by ARDECO FINEST captivates with ITS UNIQUE AESTHETICS AND BEAUTY. How did you come up with this DESIGN?

Peter Rathgeb: I am a person who strongly BELIEVES IN THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF HUMANITY and approaches every person with a GREAT DEAL OF TRUST. Unfortunately, this attitude also means that one is automatically confronted with ENORMOUS CHALLENGES. After several very turbulent years in my life, I have now decided to follow SOLELY THE PATH OF GOODNESS AND RIGHTNESS AND TO COMPLETELY LEAVE BEHIND THE TOXIC AND HINDERING INFLUENCES. This decision has had profound consequences, but it’s about A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE and the meaning of life that influences daily decisions. For me, this is precisely WHAT IT MEANS TO BE “AT HOME” to FIND MY INNER CENTER, which is more valuable than anything else, and THIS COLLECTION IS MEANT TO EXPRESS THAT. Nothing less than the APPRECIATION OF THE GOODNESS IN HUMANITY.

Explain how you were able to TRANSLATE THIS FEELING INTO A JEWELRY DESIGN?

Peter Rathgeb: Actually, it all came about quite naturally. After the first sketches, it was clear to me that a FULFILLED LIFE could be very effectively represented by considering what HARMONY means to me. This harmony is embodied by the ENDLESS and FULFILLED CIRCLE of PRECIOUS METAL, and within it—depending on one’s mood—are different emotions that our SQUARE GEMSTONES perfectly express. WEARING THIS SYMBIOSIS STANDS FOR STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND AUTHENTICITY IN LIFE and the ability to overcome a wide variety of challenges. What’s more, the DESIGN is simply gorgeous! The CHAMPAGNE RINGS and NECKLACES with CITRINE STONES, for example, or the INTENSE OCEAN-BLUE-Line are already—shortly after their introduction to the international jewelry market—true bestsellers.

Why do you believe this new ARDECO line will delight customers?

Peter Rathgeb: The quality criteria for the ARDECO HOME series by ARDECO FINEST are based on THREE PILLARS. First, all our handmade, unique pieces are crafted using ONLY THE FINEST, CERTIFIED MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET. In this case, gold, silver, and gemstones. Second, the designs are A TRUE WORLD FIRST because we ACCENTUATE THE COLORS of hand-selected gemstones such as peridot, amethyst, blue and white topaz so precisely within a precious metal frame that THIS EXPRESSION IS UNIQUE. Once again, we uniquely and perfectly COMBINE EXTRAVAGANCE AND ELEGANCE – in a completely new style, but with the same commitment to our customers as with our other designs. And thirdly, I think that the PERSONAL MEANING and the background behind the creation of this jewelry series CAN BE INSPIRING FOR MANY PEOPLE, and that they might want to wear the ARDECO HOME series jewelry as true STATEMENT PIECES. That would make me very happy!

Thank you Peter Rathgeb!

How do custom orders work at ARDECO?

Do you need a piece of jewelry that perfectly complements another one you already own? Please don’t hesitate to contact us; we would be DELIGHTED TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL, HANDMADE DESIGNS TO MATCH! We recently had the pleasure of creating HAND-BEADED NECKLACE DESIGNS FOR A CUSTOMER from Upper Bavaria to match her bracelet:

The charming customer NEEDED A MATCHING SOLUTION FOR THE ARDECO BRICKS KORALLE BRACELET, so our DESIGN TEAM set to work DEVELOPING TWO OPTIONS. The first is a beautiful cylinder-style necklace featuring the coordinated colors of the glass bead cylinder—CORAL and BLITZLBAU. This version is finished with a genuine silver chain with a gold alloy, in a practical 45 cm length.

As a SECOND UNIQUE PIECE, we offered a 120 cm chain that can be looped twice around the head, allowing it to be worn as a double-strand necklace. It can be styled with the strands hanging at equal lengths or at different lengths, very elegant too. It also features the coordinated color scheme of KORALLE, gold, and BLITZBLAU and also HANDMADE WITH LOVE IN SALZBURG. The customer decided to purchase both chains because she liked them both so much.

FEEL FREE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS PIECE CREATED FOR UPPER BAVARIA! Do you have any other ideas, or WOULD YOU ALSO LIKE CUSTOM-MADE JEWELRY FROM OUR CREATIVE JEWELRY TEAM? Please feel free to get in touch at any time—we would be delighted to craft the perfect jewelry solution for you! WE WOULD LOVE TO CREATE A TRULY UNIQUE, CUSTOM-MADE PIECE JUST FOR YOU.

Our Contact Details: +436601777626 Phone – office@ardeco.shop Email

Sharing Jewelry Experience with OLD & NEW DESIGNS

Like many jewelry lovers, we wanted to find out HOW TO CREATE WONDERFUL UNIQUE JEWELRY PIECES and we noticed at the very beginning of our JEWELRY JOURNEY that we can learn so many things by ANALYZING VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE JEWELRY, their PRODUCTION & DESIGN PROCESSES. Therefore we have started showcasing background information of hand selected old jewelry pieces and explain how they inspired us on the way for creating our NEW jewelry. Have a look at our Youtube Channel where we demonstrate how the CLOSURES of ARDECO’s BAROQUE PEARL NECKLACE was choosen by analyzing old jewelry, and be part of our OWN LEARNING PROCESS:

https://www.youtube.com/@Peter-Ardeco

"Don't forget to not forget the past" is one of the most relevant key learnigns when comparing OLD with NEW HANDMADE UNIQUE JEWELRY from ARDECO

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The CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE and our interpretation which we cast in SILVER & GOLD

The story is based on the drama The Chalk Circle by the poet Li Qianfu, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (around 1300). It centers on a dispute between a mother and a stepmother over a child — born to one but raised by the other — which is resolved by a revolutionary judicial ruling. This verdict follows a dramatic contest for the child, who stands in the center of a hand painted chalk circle with one mother on one side and the other on the opposite side. They fight over the child, pulling hard from both sides.

The biological mother finally lets go, fearing for the child’s well-being during this proverbial “ordeal by tearing.” The judge views this as proof that the “real” mother loves the child more and awards custody to her. This story thus establishes the significance of natural lineage, the biological bond, and, ultimately, “pure love.” The epic is defined by intense emotions such as sadness, tears and loneliness.

“As a reader, I am particularly inspired by historical novels — by the fates of the characters and their quest for happiness, justice, and the meaning of life. A personal reinterpretation of the classic *The Caucasian Chalk Circle* plays a central role in my own story, which is why I created a line of jewelry based on it.It involves a great deal of emotion in the relationship with my daughters.”

Peter Rathgeb

In the mid-20th century, Bertolt Brecht turned the meaning of the story on its head with The Caucasian Chalk Circle, while employing the same dramatic structure and staging. In the work of this German literary genius, the child is ultimately awarded to the stepmother and not the biological one — following the same dispute-resolution process — even though the stepmother comes from a poor background; this stands in huge contrast to the wealthy biological mother, who focuses on her possessions during times of crisis, neglecting her son and eventually simply abandoning him.

The poor maid raises the boy and loves him; indeed, it is she who lets go of him during the struggle within the circle so as not to hurt him. The son stands in the center of the circle and is cruelly torn away by his biological mother—though ultimately in vain, for the wise judge rules that he may return to his beloved “real” mother: the stepmother who raised him with love despite her poverty. Here, too, many tears flow, and deep emotions define this harrowing ordeal.

At ARDECO, we have taken up this very narrative and revolutionized it again: in our version, it is the loving father who during the same dispute opens his hands and lets his daughter go, so as not to hurt her during the struggle. He sees how the child would otherwise be torn apart. The mother, meanwhile, resolutely pulls the daughter to her side, regardless of whether this is the right or wrong course of action for the child. We have translated THIS VIEW into, firstly a beautiful CIRCULAR RING featuring a unique design —available from ARDECO in a wide range of sizes and finishes, made to order and fully personalized including choice of metal & GEMSTONE.

Secondly, we have elaborated for mirroring those emotions our TEARDROP RING collection, where we craft bespoke rings in gold or silver, embellished with hand-selected, precious stones, too. The story’s outcome remains open-ended; we invite our customers to draw upon their own life experiences to decide the right way to interact with one another — and with their own children — during emotionally charged phases of life. With this collection, we offer fresh food for thought on the subject and whoever wants a part of our version on its finger, can order it at ARDECO on request.

Creating the BRILLANTE Design

At ARDECO, “BRILLANTE” refers to the combination of gold, silver, and rosé. It is a trilogy that COMPLEMENTS ANY OUTFIT AND ANY EXISTING JEWELRY COLLECTION—precisely the idea behind the CREATION OF THIS DESIGN LINE.

When customers stepped into our shop — or, many years ago, visited our street market or Christmas market stand – one question was always essential: WHAT DOES OUR JEWELRY GO WITH? Do you prefer wearing SILVER, GOLD, OR ROSE JEWELRY, and which color from our handmade collection complements it best? By creating a BRILLANTE combination of all three colors, we’ve made the answer easy for both ourselves and our customers: WE SHOWCASE THE COMPLETE TRILOGY USING HAND THREADED MIYUKI GLASS BEADS, ARRANGED TO CREATE A SEAMLESS, HARMONIOUS DESIGN TRANSITION.

WHICH PRECIOUS METAL COLOR SUITS ME? Our clients and friends often ask this question. THE NEW WATCH IS STAINLESS STEEL — WHAT JEWELRY SHOULD I WEAR WITH IT? Or another common sentiment: I REALLY LIKE THIS GOLD RING, EVEN THOUGH I USUALLY ONLY WEAR SILVER. Depending on skin type, teint, and personal preferences — often in combination with hand selected unique, precious stones like tanzanite or peridot — people choose DIFFERENT PRECIOUS METAL OPTIONS OVER THE YEARS AND DECADES. Often, it is a diverse mix; not infrequently, we have customers in the shop who — after years of working with us – completely switch up their style, gravitating toward a single specific color while ruling out the others, and then bring us their old pieces that no longer fit their look for resale.

By choosing the ARDECO BRILLANTE series, you are selecting THE PERFECT PIECE OF JEWELRY — regardless of your existing collection — because it COMPLEMENTS ALL PRECIOUS METALS. Whether it is a pair of hand-strung EARRINGS with silver or gold clasps, a matching RING CUSTOM-MADE WITH LOVE IN SALZBURG to fit your size, or an ARDECO BRACELET featuring a flexible pull closure and available in various widths, it is an IDEAL & TIMELESS CHOICE. We invite you to visit us or send us your feedback; we would be happy to ADVISE YOU ON THIS JEWELRY TOPIC AND MANY OTHERS.