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.
Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Cut Diamond Filigree Link Bracelet
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Cut Diamond Filigree Link Bracelet. This incredible Edwardian old cut diamond filigree link bracelet is...
Diamond, Platinum
$2,398Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Edwardian Gold & Platinum Sapphire Diamond Hand Engraved Line Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European Cut - Pave Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamond - 0.07ctw (approx.) (2) Synthetic Sapphire - Square Step Cut - Milgrain Bezel Set ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Antique 2.16 Carat Ruby and 1.26 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.16 carat ruby and 1.26 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold and platinum set bracelet; part of our diverse antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique bracelet has been crafted in 14k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The bracelet consists of four sets of articulating links, incorporating two platinum oval designs interlacing with a yellow gold lozenge shaped motif ornamented with twenty channel set square faceted cut rubies. These intricately conjoined links alternate with a trilogy arrangement, embellished with a stunning central collet set round faceted cut ruby, flanked by two impressive collet set Old European cut diamonds. This impressive antique ruby and diamond bracelet secures with a push fit clasp, subtly integrated into one of the trilogy style links The stunning bracelet is hallmarked to the side of the setting with the maker's mark (B&S). This antique bracelet has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 14k gold and platinum. This impressive Edwardian ruby and diamond bracelet is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. The design of this stunning antique ruby bracelet...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Edwardian Era 20 Carat Old Euro Cut Diamond Bracelet in Platinum Setting
Located in Miami, FL
Edwardian platinum bracelet mounting 115 Old European cut natural diamonds. All are set in a well-engineered, flexible, bezel setting. This bracelet features expertly old cut diamond...
Diamond, Platinum
Retro Cosmopolitan Wide Cuff Bracelet 18kt Gold 12451*
By Unbranded
Located in New York, NY
Rare Cosmopolitan Retro Link Bracelet 16mm wide 18kt Gold 27.9 grams
Gold, 18k Gold
Edwardian Coral, Diamond, and Pearl Bracelet by JE Caldwell
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1910, 18k, by J.E. Caldwell, Philadelphia. This romantic bracelet from the esteemed Philadelphia jewelry house, J.E. Caldwell, is set with warm pink coral, natural cultured pea...
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Fine Edwardian Natural Pearl And Diamond Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A Fine Edwardian natural pearl and diamond bracelet, the thirty-nine pearls, accompanied by GCS Report stating to be natural pearls...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
An Edwardian Natural Pearl And Diamond Line Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian natural pearl and diamond line bracelet, alternately set with twenty two old brilliant-cut diamonds with approximate total weight of 2.2 carats and twenty two round pear...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
$11,960Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 2.68ct Old Euro Diamond Bezel Set Tennis Line 14k Platinum Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Twin 2.68ct Old Euro Diamond Bezel Set Tennis Line Gold & Platinum Antique BRACELET Dating back to the turn-of-the-20th-centur...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Bracelet
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming bracelet showcasing a refined design, meticulously crafted from platinum. This antique piece has been taken from the Edwardian era and features a harmonious a...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Paste and Silver Bracelet
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous bracelet holds orbs of purple paste which catch the light beautifully. This bracelet and the paste are all modelled in silver. Length: 18cm Width: 8mm Weight: 16.7g
Silver
Edwardian 4.48 Carat Sapphire and Diamond 9k Rose Gold Bracelet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 4.48 carat sapphire and 0.23 carat diamond, 9 karat rose gold and platinum set bracelet; part of our diverse sapphire jewelry collections. Th...
Diamond, Sapphire, Rose Gold, Platinum
$13,590Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French 18k Gold Plat, GIA Pearl Sapphire Emerald Engraved Link Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
This magnificent and truly elegant antique Edwardian period bracelet was crafted in France from solid 18k yellow gold and features outstanding floral leaf open work links with fine q...
Emerald, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Style Edwardian Diamond Filigree 14K White Gold Statement Bracelet
Located in Tysons, VA
Elegant 14K White Gold bracelet with intricate circular links featuring sparkling embellishments.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Cabochon Sapphire Pearl Enamel Gold Bracelet
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 This stylish and unusual Edwardian era antique bracelet is crafted in 14K gold. The wider links of the bracelet are covered with opa...
Blue Sapphire
Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver 5 Carat Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Edwardian Estate Composition: 18K Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver Primary Stones: Natural French Cut Sapphires Total Carat Weight: Approximately 5 Carats Accent Stones: Rose C...
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver