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 6.15ctw Old Cut Diamond Mosaic Engraved Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
-- Stone(s) -- (9) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European Cut - Pavé Set - Nice Brilliant White to Faint Yellow Diamonds - 6.15ctw (approx.) Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Rose...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Edwardian Diamond Pearl Platinum-Topped 18 Karat Gold Floral Heart Charm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Giardinetto style charm features a striated basket overflowing with foliate and a heart surround. Accented by rose cut diamonds and featuring three 2.0 mm pearls. White in body color...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 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
Vintage Rose Gold Bracelet with a Donkey Charm
Located in London, GB
Vintage Rose Gold Bracelet - each link is stamped 9 375- with end link stamped W J S - dated 1963 The bracelet weighs 7.14 grams Length 7.8...
Rose Gold
Antique 9ct Gold Masonic Pendant Hallmarked
Located in London, GB
Antique 9ct Gold Masonic Pendant Fully hallmarked Chester dated 1905 Weight 1.4 grams Has a rose gold colour applied and a yellow gold jump ring Size - 2.1 cm x height - pls. see ...
Gold, 9k Gold
Set of 4 Edwardian Sterling Silver & Blue Enamel Pendant / Charms
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 silver & enamel pendants / charms. In sterling silver. Each in sterling silver body with cobalt blue enamel to its center. Comprised of four separate shapes - a h...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1950s Style Rose-Cut Diamond Sapphire Bracelet 14K Yellow Gold & Silver
Located in Marcianise, IT
An exquisite, highly elegant, and masterfully detailed vintage link bracelet designed in a romantic 1950s interpretation of the classic Edwardian style. This beautiful piece features...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Beauvince Garland Bracelet (6.22 ct Diamonds) in 18K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
This elegant bracelet showcases one signature motif: a larger round diamond framed by a delicate halo, linked by openwork ribbon-and-foliate sprays. Set in white gold, the design has...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Metal Core Engraved Bangle
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous metal core bangle has wonderful engraving and is coated in 1/5 9ct gold. Inner diameter widest point: 6.2cm Inner circumference: 17.5cm Bangle Width: 13mm Weight: 21g
Antique Edwardian 1900's Diamond Platinum & 14K Gold Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Early 1900's Edwardian Bracelet .62ct Brilliant & White Old Mine Cut Diamonds 7.5 Inches Long The Top is 1.25 Inches Long 9.2 grams Platinum Top & 14kt Yellow Gold Bo...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Cable Link Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Gold Bracelet 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped Circa 1900 Embrace timeless elegance with this exquisite Edwardian bracelet crafted from 15ct yellow gold. The substantial cable l...
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian inspired 3.30 carat diamond platinum charm bracelet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This platinum bracelet showcases elegant baguette and single cut diamonds in an Edwardian-inspired design, offering refined brilliance with timeless craftsmanship and graceful vintag...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 9 Carat Gold Curb Bracelet with Teddy Charm
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic curb bracelet has smooth links and to fasten this bracelet there is a heart locket which is smooth and glossy with safety chain. Attached to the chain is the sweetest teddy charm...
Gold
Antique 14K White Gold 0.8ct Diamond and Pearl Bangle Bracelet, Early 20th Centu
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Twenty-nine old European cut diamonds trace the front of this Edwardian style bangle in a continuous line, their deep culets and open facets giving off the softer, warmer sparkle cha...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Estate Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond and Enamel Bangle - VHK#73
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond and Enamel Bangle - VHK#73b Item Details: Year: 1900s Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 13.2 grams (...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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
$12,600Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM Diamond Briolette Link Chain 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Diamond Briolette Link Chain 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet CODE: BLT-0018 7.75 carats of White Briolette-cut Diamonds set in a Bracelet made in 18KT White gold weighing total...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old 18k gold bracelet with sapphires and old-cut diamonds 1.70 ct
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique gold bracelet with sapphires and "old" brilliant-cut diamonds Crafted of 18-karat gold (0.750 fineness), adorned with six faceted sapphires of intense, light blue color weig...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rigid Base Metal Bracelet with 3ct Oval Amethyst, Mid-20th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rigid metal bracelet decorated with amethyst measuring 13.25mm x 9.31mm (approx. 3ct amethyst) Bracelet made of base metal. Origin: probably Scandinavia, first half of the 20th cen...
Amethyst, Base Metal
Edwardian Diamond Pearl Platinum 18K Gold Antique Giradinetto Floral Heart Charm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a heart shaped form centering a Giardinetto style flower basket Comprised of white gold wire with openwork details and three pearls Measuring 2.0 mm round - white in body...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Diamond Sapphire Edwardian Style Openwork Bangle Bracelet & Ring Jewelry Set
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
A splendid embodiment of Edwardian-inspired elegance. At the heart of this enchanting piece lies a brilliant round diamond, thoughtfully encircled by a striking French cut octagon-sh...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$13,979Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM Briolette&Taviz Diamond Bracelet 18 Karat White Gold
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Briolette&taviz Diamond bracelet 18 Karat White Gold CODE: BLT-103 7.56 carats of White Briolette-cut Diamonds set in a Bracelet made in 18KT White gold weighing total 6.72...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold