Skip to main content

Edwardian Heart Padlock

15ct Yellow Gold Edwardian Heart Padlock Pendant, Bracelet Clasp Hallmarked 1907
Located in Brighton, GB
is sold separately This stunning antique heart padlock is crafted from 15ct yellow gold. The back of
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold, Edwardian Heart Padlock Pendant, Bracelet Charm Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Gold Padlock 9ct Rose Gold circa 1910s Stamped 9ct This stunning vintage heart
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Three Colour Gold Edwardian Heart Padlock Figaro Link Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
gold figaro link bracelet. Features a heart padlock clasp fastening. The padlock is stamped for 9ct
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Tulip Link 22 inch Chain: Edwardian Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
a touch of elegance, while the heart padlock clasp provides a whimsical detail, making this chain
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Unusually Wide Edwardian Gate Bracelet with Heart Padlock
By Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection
Located in Stamford, CT
Standing out from the crowd, this extra wide Edwardian Gate Bracelet is made of varied lengths and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Open Curb Link, Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
wear. The heart-shaped padlock adds a touch of romance and symbolises the love and commitment shared
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Gold Edwardian Faceted Belcher Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
bracelet is secured with a heart padlock clasp stamped with the makers mark G K L. The soft and subtle hue
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

9ct Rose Gold Bracelet, Edwardian Fancy Link with Heart Padlock, Circa 1910
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Rose Gold Bracelet with Heart Padlock 9ct Rose Gold Circa 1910 Edwardian bracelet
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

9ct Rose Gold, Edwardian Trace Chain with Fancy Engraved Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
elegance, while the heart padlock clasp provides a whimsical detail, making this chain the perfect
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Edwardian 15.6g 9K Gold Curb Chased Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Edwardian gold bracelet, comprising plain and chased curb links, a padlock clasp, and safety
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Stamped, Edwardian Era Curb Link Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
alternates from two textured links to two plain links and features a charming heart padlock closure, adding a
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

9ct Gold Edwardian Night & Day Floral Patterned Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
9ct marking on the reverse side- most of which have rubbed over time. The heart padlock clasp adds a
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Curb Bracelet Turquoise and Pearl, Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
links embellished with alternating turquoise and seed pearls, safely secured with a heart padlock clasp
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Curb Link Heart Padlock Bracelet Hallmarked Chester 1904
Located in Brighton, GB
also features a heart padlock clasp bearing the full hallmark of Chester 1904, adding a touch of
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Joseph Cook & Son 1910 Edwardian Heart Shaped Lover Padlock In 9Kt Pink Gold
Located in Miami, FL
London England during the Edwardian era, back in the 1910. This padlock was made up with intricate
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Joseph Cook & Son 1910 Edwardian Heart Shaped Lover Padlock In 9Kt Pink Gold
Joseph Cook & Son 1910 Edwardian Heart Shaped Lover Padlock In 9Kt Pink Gold
$798 Sale Price
20% Off
W 0.52 in D 0.21 in L 1.02 in
Antique 9ct Gold, Edwardian 21 Inch Fancy Link Belcher Chain with heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Padlock Belcher Chain 9ct Gold Circa 1900 Introducing a stunning 9ct gold Edwardian
Category

Early 20th Century English Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Vintage 15ct Gold, Heart Padlock Pendant, Charm Bracelet Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Gold Heart Padlock 15ct Gold Circa 1910 *THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY This stunning
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 15k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Curb Link Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
Heart Padlock Closure Measures Approx 7 1/2 Inches (can be shortened) Padlock Measures Approx
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Pretty Antique 9ct Yellow Gold Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Pretty Antique 9ct Yellow Gold Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock two beautiful different type of
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian More Bracelets

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique 18 Carat Yellow Gold Heart Padlock Gate Bracelet, 1913
Located in London, GB
yellow gold and fastens with a lovely heart-shaped padlock charm that gives this piece a romantic feel
Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Double Curb Bracelet, Heart Padlock, 18-K Gold British Hallmarked 1917
Located in London, GB
curb links, with a sweet divine heartfelt charmed. It consists of a heart-shaped padlock, details to
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Retro Bracelets

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold 20 3/4 Inch Belcher Chain with Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
heart padlock measures approximately 13.1mm tall and 9.7mm in width. Total weight 11.4g All of our
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

9ct Gold 22 3/4 Inch Oval Belcher Chain with Heart Padlock Clasp Hallmarked 1901
Located in Brighton, GB
including the padlock is approximately 22 3/4 Inches, and the link width 2.9mm The heart padlock measures
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Recent Sales

Antique Edwardian Heart Padlock Bracelet in 9 Carat Gold, circa 1910
Located in Kendal, GB
held by a 9ct heart padlock and safety chain complete with the maker’s initials on the back. It’s in
Category

20th Century European Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Gold

Antique 9ct Gold Edwardian Heart Padlock Necklace
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Heart Necklace 9ct Gold Stamped Circa 1900 Gorgeous, Edwardian gold necklace. Features
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Heart Padlock Pendant / Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
stunning Edwardian padlock is crafted from 9ct rose gold, it's a plain design stamped on the reverse with
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Edwardian Heart Padlock Pendant Bracelet Clasp Hallmarked 1908
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique heart padlock is crafted from 18ct yellow gold and suspended from a length of trace link chain
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Gate Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
Gate Bracelet. Complete with Heart Padlock Clasp. Bracelet Measures Approx Length 8 Inches & Width
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Fancy Knot Link Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
stamped 9 & 375 & has a heart padlock clasp- this is a later marriage. The padlock is hallmarked London
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

15ct Rose Gold Edwardian Fancy Paperclip & Ball Link Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
15ct gold. The bracelet is adorned with a pretty heart padlock clasp, which is hallmarked Birmingham
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

15k Gold, Rose Gold

9ct Rose Gold Chester Hallmarked Edwardian Belcher Link Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
touch of elegance to any outfit. The bracelet is secured with a heart padlock clasp which is stamped for
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Open Curb Link, Heart Padlock Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
wear. The heart-shaped padlock adds a touch of romance and symbolises the love and commitment shared
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Gold, Edwardian Fancy Snake Box Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
to any outfit. The chain dates back to the Edwardian era, while the heart padlock is a later addition
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9 Karat Gold British Heart Padlock Charm Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Charm bracelet is comprised of polished curbed links With a stylized and functional heart padlock
Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

9ct Rose Gold Edwardian Night & Day Floral Patterned Curb Bracelet Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
patterned and plain links, each of which is stamped with a 9ct marking on the reverse. The heart padlock
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Gold, Edwardian Fancy Fancy Box Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Yellow Gold Bracelet 9ct Yellow Gold Circa 1900 This antique Edwardian bracelet is a
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Oval Link Bracelet Edwardian 9 Karat Rose Gold Day Night Heart Padlock
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Edwardian oval link bracelet (circa 1908), crafted in 9 karat rose gold
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Rose Gold

Edwardian 9K Gold Hand Engraved Heart Padlock
Located in Venice, CA
This Edwardian 9k gold heart padlock makes a perfect pendant or closure for a bracelet or necklace
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian, Night & Day, Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
. The bracelet is fastened together with a heart padlock clasp, with lovely paisley style engraving
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

LAWSON WARD & GAMMAGE 1910 Edwardian Heart Shaped Lover Padlock In 18Kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Lover mechanical lock designed by Lawson, Ward & Gammage Ltd. Beautiful heart shaped padlock lover
Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

9ct Gold Edwardian 21 Inch Oval Faceted Belcher Chain with Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
padlock is approximately 21 Inches, and the link width 3.2mm The heart padlock measures approximately
Category

Early 20th Century English Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique Edwardian 15 Karat Gold Puffed Heart Padlock Pendant
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A fine Edwardian puffed heart padlock pendant modelled in 15 karat yellow gold. The top opens for
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

15k Gold

Antique Gold Albert Bracelet with Heart Shaped Padlock, Birmingham 1908
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A classic style bracelet fashioned from an antique watch Albert Chain and fitted with a padlock and
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Gold

Edwardian 9ct Yellow Gold Trombone Link Bracelet Heart Padlock Circa 1910
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A very pretty 9ct yellow gold trombone or paper link chain bracelet with a heart padlock dating
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

People Also Browsed

Antique 9ct Gold, Edwardian 20 1/4 Fancy Tulip Link Chain with Bolt Ring Clasp
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Tulip Link Chain 9ct Rose Gold Circa 1900 This exquisite Edwardian chain is a true testament to the timeless beauty of antique jewellery. Crafted from 9ct rose gold, it bo...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique Florentine Large Etruscan Revival 14K Yellow Gold Locket Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional quality, on par with the finest Castellani pieces, antique Etruscan Revival large 14K yellow gold locket pendant/brooch 19th Century Featuring superb granulation and wire...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped Victorian Curb Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Curb Bracelet 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped Circa 1880 This antique Victorian curb link bracelet is a true treasure. Crafted from 15ct yellow gold, this chunky design is sure...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Link Bracelets

Materials

15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1901 Yellow Gold Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 9 karat yellow gold curb link bracelet with heart shaped padlock clasp; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impre...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Retro Chain Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Heart garnet Eternity Ring in 14k gold
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold ring with heart natural garnets. Heart garnet eternity ring band. Valentines gift jewelry. Full circle of hearts. January birthstone ring. Heart Garnet gold ring. Love ring....
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold

Heart garnet Eternity Ring in 14k gold
Heart garnet Eternity Ring in 14k gold
$685 Sale Price / item
27% Off
Antique Victorian 18k Gold, Black Enamel & Old Cut Diamond Mourning Ring, C 1884
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Although Mourning Jewelry has a long & fascinating history, going back to as far as Middle Ages, its popularity reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). ...
Category

Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Rare Cartier Mid-20th Century 14K Yellow Gold Locket Book Key Pendant
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier - rare mid-20th century 14K yellow gold book form locket key pendant 1940's The rectangular shaped 14K gold locket opens to reveal a pair of gold pages with early etched pho...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

10 Carat Australian Opal Shell Pendant with Emerald & 14k Gold
By Jen Proudman Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Australian Opal Shell Pendant Australian Opal, Emerald, 14k Gold Carved Australian Opal, 20mm diameter with center 6x5mm emerald. The thick gold ring bail can accommodate a chain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold

Leto Lama IGI Certified 4.26 Cts Emerald with diamonds engagement cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
A one-of-a-kind cocktail or alternative engagement ring showcasing a striking 4.26-carat bluish-green Zambian emerald, IGI certified. The centre stone is secured with eight claws, c...
Category

2010s British Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with old mine cut diamonds up to 1.00ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k red gold necklace with a 14k gold and silver pendant set with old mine-cut diamonds up to approximately 1.00 ct G/H SI - 45 cm Detailed description The pendant is 2.3 cm high a...
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Syna Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl Evil Eye Pendant with Blue Sapphire & Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Mother of Pearl 12 carats approx. Blue sapphire 0.10 carat approx. Diamonds 0.03 carat approx. Chain sold separately Limited Edition Crafted from 18 ...
Category

2010s Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 15ct Gold, Edwardian Amethyst & Natural Seed Pearl Heart Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Amethyst & Seed Pearl Heart Pendant 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1900 Introducing this exquisite 15ct gold Edwardian heart-shaped pendant, showcasing a stunning faceted amethyst heart ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold

Antique Victorian 1880s heart Locket Rose Cut Diamond Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique rose cut diamond heart locket pendant with an estimate diamond weight of 3 carats decorated with black enamel total pendant length 4cm dates back to the astro hungarian era 1...
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 9K Gold Heart Padlock Curb Chain Charms Bracelet
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A lovely padlock curb chain charms bracelet set with an engraved heart closure. The curb chain and heart are created in 9 karat gold. The heart-shaped padlock has beautiful engraving...
Category

Late 20th Century British Charm Bracelets

Materials

9k Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold Back & Front Heart Locket with Swallow Engraving
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Heart Locket 9ct Rose Gold Back & Front Circa 1900 *The term gold front & back is often used to describe antique gold lockets which have a front back made from gold. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Rose Gold, Edwardian Seed Pearl Glass Locket Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pendant 9ct Rose Gold Circa 1900 *THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY Step back in time with this exquisite Edwardian-era locket, crafted in 9ct rose gold. This stunning piece ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Edwardian Heart Padlock", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Edwardian Heart Padlock For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the edwardian heart padlock you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 9k gold and rose gold. If you’re looking for a edwardian heart padlock from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 20th Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic edwardian heart padlock over the years, but those made by Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection and John Grinsell & Sons are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A edwardian heart padlock can be a stylish choice for most occasions, but amethyst rings, from our inventory of 1, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. Today, if you’re looking for a cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut alternatives. When shopping for a edwardian heart padlock, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Edwardian Heart Padlock?

Prices for a edwardian heart padlock can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $648 and can go as high as $7,518, while this accessory, on average, fetches $1,561.

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.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.