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.
$899
8.08 Carat Opal
Located in Bangkok, TH
This piece is a massive and stunning, 8.08 Carat Opal, in a mesmerising, and unique shape, with a grey and red hue. Opals are a unique and captivating type of gemstone known for thei...
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
$350
9.03 Carat Opal
Located in Bangkok, TH
This piece is a massive and stunning, 9.03 Carat Opal, in a mesmerising, elongated-oval shape that has a gorgeous, sky-blue hue. Opals are a unique and captivating type of gemstone k...
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
10 Carat Australian Boulder Opal Freeform Cabochon
Located in New York, NY
This incandescent 10 ct. Boulder Opal freeform cabochon features a captivating play of color across its polished surface with electrifying flashes of green, violet, aqua, and gold sh...
Opal
$9,980
W 0.76 in L 0.8 in
12.00 Carat Trillion Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone Unmounted Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Offered loose and unmounted, this rare 12.00 carat trillion cut Ethiopian opal is prized for its vivid play of color and modern triangular silhouette. With flashes that can shift thr...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$200Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.51 in D 0.29 in L 0.73 in
8.50 Carat Natural Loose Opal Cabochon From Ethiopia, Africa
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Opal Cabochon Weight: 8.50 Carats Dimension: 18.4 x 12.9 x 7.3 Mm Origin: Ethiopia Treatment: Non Certificate: On Customer Demand Opal is a mesmerizing gemstone celebrated f...
Opal
$6,750
W 0.5 in L 0.84 in
10.96 Carat Ethiopian Opal Oval Loose Gemstone Play of Color by Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Offered unmounted for collectors and bespoke fine jewelry, this 10.96 carat Ethiopian opal is a luminous oval cut gemstone celebrated for its vivid, shifting play of color. Curated b...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
16.94 Carat Round Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone Unmounted Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Offered loose and unmounted by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills, this exceptional Ethiopian opal weighs 16.94 carats and is cut in a classic round shape that emphasizes symmetry, brilli...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$35,600Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.49 in D 0.22 in L 0.87 in
AGL Certified 8.11 Carat Australian Black Opal Vivid Blue Green N2-B4
Located in Chicago, IL
This pear-shape stunning Australian Black Opal displays a vivid Blue-Green Play-of-Color Phenomena in a unique Chaff and Harlequin Jigsaw pattern. This unique gem weighs 8.11ct and m...
Opal, Black Opal
$47,320
W 0.72 in L 1.7 in
38.92-Carat Marquise Ethiopian Opal – A Rare Collectible Gem by Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
38.92-Carat Marquise Ethiopian Opal – A Rare Masterpiece by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills. A Rare Masterpiece of Nature The Ethiopian highlands have gifted the world some of the mos...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$7,192Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.56 in L 1.09 in
13.88 Carat Marquise Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone, Merkaba Beverly Hills
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A natural 13.88-carat marquise Ethiopian opal loose gemstone, offered unmounted for collectors and bespoke fine jewelry. This marquise shape gives the opal an elegant, elongated pres...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$14,450
W 0.81 in D 0.38 in L 0.85 in
Natural 17.23 Carat Heart-Shaped Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone - Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Natural 17.23 Carat Heart-Shaped Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills Offered unmounted, this natural 17.23 carat heart-shaped Ethiopian Opal is a rare and ...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$22,850
H 0.93 in Dm 0.93 in
29.98 Carat Round Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone - Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Exceptional 29.98 carat round Ethiopian opal, offered loose and unmounted, prized for its vivid play of color and strong presence. This natural opal displays lively flashes across th...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
4.08 Carat Emerald Cut Aquamarine Loose Gemstone by Merkaba
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A serene 4.08 carat emerald cut natural aquamarine, offered loose and unmounted by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills for collectors and custom jewelry clients. With its clean architectural shape, luminous ocean blue color, and bright glassy brilliance, this gemstone has the refined presence that makes aquamarine so beloved in fine jewelry. The emerald cut gives the stone a sophisticated, structured beauty. Its long step facets create a calm “hall of mirrors” effect, highlighting the aquamarine’s transparency, clarity, and soft blue glow. Measuring 12.3 x 9 x 5.70 mm, this gemstone offers strong center stone presence while maintaining an elegant, balanced proportion for a bespoke ring or pendant. Aquamarine has long been associated with clarity, calm, renewal, harmony, and emotional balance. As the traditional March birthstone, it is especially meaningful for birthdays, anniversaries, milestone gifts, and personal heirloom jewelry. Its peaceful ocean blue tone gives the stone a feeling of serenity and quiet luxury. This aquamarine is an excellent choice for a custom cocktail ring, a timeless three stone ring, an alternative engagement ring, or a refined pendant. Its elegant shape and generous size make it ideal for a design that feels personal, sophisticated, and enduring. Design Your Dream Jewelry Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills offers bespoke design services to transform this aquamarine into a one of a kind jewel. A custom piece may be created in platinum, 18K white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold, with optional diamond accents and proportions designed around your vision. Whether imagined as a clean modern solitaire, a diamond accented ring, or a minimalist pendant, this gemstone is ready to become a meaningful custom creation. This 4.08 carat emerald cut aquamarine is offered loose and unmounted. Details Brand: Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills Gemstone: Natural Aquamarine Carat Weight: 4.08 carats Cut: Emerald Cut Measurements: 12.3 x 9 x 5.70 mm Setting: Loose, unmounted gem...
Emerald, Beryl, Aquamarine, Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Ros...
$8,700
W 0.52 in L 0.75 in
12.34 Carat Ethiopian Opal Pear Shape Pair Loose Gemstones - Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A rare, perfectly matched 12.34 carat total weight Ethiopian opal pear-shape pair, offered loose and unmounted, prized for a vivid, high-energy play-of-color. Each opal flashes a liv...
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
28.57 Carat Black Australian Opal
Located in Bangkok, TH
This piece is a massive and stunning, 28.57 Carat Black Opal, in a mesmerising, trillion-cut shape. Opals are a unique and captivating type of gemstone known for their play-of-color,...
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum