Georgian Topaz Cross
Antique 1830s Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Pearl, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Crystal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Silver
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique Early 1800s British George III Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Brooches
Amethyst, Topaz, Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1920s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s French Post-War Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Belle Époque Bridal Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese Georgian Cluster Rings
Rock Crystal, 15k Gold
Antique 1890s English Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Antique 1780s Spanish Baroque Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
1940s French Cloche Hats
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Antique 18th Century Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, 14k Gold
Antique 1810s British Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Natural Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Drop Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Antique 1830s Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1820s English Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Imperial Topaz, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Chrysoberyl, Silver
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Brooches
Topaz, Imperial Topaz
Antique Early 1800s Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Topaz
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Drop Necklaces
Topaz, 15k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Necklace Enhancers
Topaz, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian More Necklaces
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Multi-Strand Necklaces
Topaz, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Topaz, 15k Gold
Antique 1820s English Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 18th Century English George III Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, 15k Gold
Antique 1840s French Victorian More Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
A Close Look at georgian Jewelry
Georgian jewelry is named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). A slew of beautiful pieces were produced during the period, and today antique Georgian rings, necklaces and other accessories are coveted by fine jewelry collectors.
There are certain features that distinguish jewelry from this era, including the fact that pieces from the 18th and early 19th centuries were handmade (so don’t let the absence of a maker’s mark lead you to believe otherwise). Antique Georgian jewelry also has a certain “look.” It’s a bit gray because stones were often set in silver, and because stonecutting techniques were not as advanced as they are today, the gems do not possess the level of sparkle to which we have become accustomed.
Intricate metalworking techniques such as repoussé (the hammering of metal into ornate designs) and cannetille (a method of working the gold wire to make it look woven) allowed goldsmiths to really flex their muscles. These gold pieces, either on their own or combined with gemstones, made for highly original and dramatic jewelry. The era also saw pieces with ornately woven strands of human hair.
Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. These were often cut in the shape of a cabochon or teardrop. It was fashionable to combine garnets or rubies with seed pearls. In Georgian diamond rings, popular cuts for diamonds included rose, old mine and table. Around the 1780s, paste jewelry, or hand-cut glass on foil, was used to imitate diamonds.
Browse a collection of antique Georgian diamond rings, earrings, brooches and other authentic Georgian jewelry today on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.