Edwardian Amethyst And Pearl Drop Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Pearl, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl
People Also Browsed
2010s French Art Nouveau Charm Bracelets
Carnelian, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modernist Cuff Bracelets
Mid-20th Century American Regency Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
20th Century Retro Brooches
Crystal
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Romantic Chandelier Earrings
Crystal, Hematite, Silver
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Gold Plate
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Early 2000s French Modern Drop Earrings
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Romantic Chandelier Earrings
Crystal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Romantic Chandelier Earrings
Crystal, Silver
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Crystal, Base Metal, Brass, Copper
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Cultured Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Close Look at edwardian Jewelry
Antique Edwardian jewelry is named for King Edward VII of Great Britain, who ruled from 1901 until 1910. Classic Edwardian necklaces, engagement rings, earrings and other jewelry are often overshadowed by the more popular style of the era, Art Nouveau, which is a shame. At its best, Edwardian jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron.
Edward introduced incredibly formal Buckingham Palace court presentations, balls and soirées, resulting in a huge demand for diamond jewels starting with his coronation in 1902. Dozens of tiaras and formal jewels in an updated 18th-century style were purchased from French jewelers Boucheron and Chaumet and from Russia’s Fabergé. The court jewelers Asprey, Garrard, Carrington and the newly opened London branch of Cartier were all overwhelmed with orders for sumptuous diamond jewelry to be worn at the king’s elaborate coronation.
During the Edwardian era, pearls were more valuable than diamonds. The pear-shaped pearl La Peregrina, for example, belonged to some of the most fabulous and strongest women in history and bounced among royal courts in Spain, France and Russia for several centuries. So while today the scale and clarity of a diamond ring matters, back then the size and quantity of your pearls was more important a declaration of wealth. And just as Victorian notions of propriety and femininity began to change after Queen Victoria died in 1901, jewelry design also evolved but there was some overlap with late Victorian styles.
Women of the Edwardian period sported bejeweled headpieces like tiaras and bandeaus with feathered aigrettes. Another popular piece of jewelry that is said to have been directly inspired by Queen Alexandra were colliers de chien, or dog collars — today's choker necklaces — which consisted of either a ribbon decorated with a brooch, a gemstone or several strands of pearls strung closely together.
Two major jewelry houses, Cartier and Boucheron, were founded in the mid-1850s, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthy considered them household names. The Cartier brand became even more desirable once the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Cartier took this title seriously and designed some of the most innovative jewelry of its day, since it was willing to experiment with new materials like platinum and because it was mindful of fashion trends. Filigree settings also became popular. This saw-piercing technique was decorative and at the same time created a sense of lightness.
Perhaps even more important than Cartier’s use of platinum was the founding of De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888. The discovery of new diamond mines made the stone more affordable and prompted the introduction of new gemstone cuts. It is not uncommon to see Edwardian jewels with baguette or briolette diamonds.
Find antique Edwardian rings, bracelets, watches and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right drop-earrings for You
Earrings are a timeless accessory. Women have been wearing studs and hoops in civilizations as far back as Ancient Egypt. Diamond drop earrings, pearl versions and other antique drop earrings have a long history as well.
While hoops will always be beautiful, drop earrings hold their own as dazzling accessories, and jewelry designers have explored different variations on this style of earring over time.
Although the term is often misapplied, true drop earrings are characterized by a long lean line ending in a pear-shaped stone that drops just below the earlobe. These accessories were popular in the Art Deco era, which encompassed the 1920s and ’30s and ushered in a very distinct look in jewelry design.
There were many influences on Art Deco jewelry; among them, the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. Today, the popularity of long Art Deco drop earrings can be attributed to the influence of Coco Chanel. These earrings are frequently characterized by simple shapes, clean lines and an integration of colorful stones such as blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies to accent the pieces’ diamonds. Indeed, during the 20th century, as technology for diamond cutting improved, diamond drop earrings and other diamond jewelry came into wide popularity. Formal examples of diamond drop earrings pair perfectly with a cocktail dress or fancy pantsuit, while gem-set and gold drop earrings make great daytime accessories.
While there are at least several types of earrings you could be wearing right now, drop earrings work well for anyone who favors a minimalist look. Whatever the occasion, find a wide range of antique, diamond and pearl drop earrings on 1stDibs.