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.
Antique Silver travelling Inkwell London 1839
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Silver travelling Inkwell London 1839 prob Thomas Diller. Vermeuil Silver rectangular inkwell plain with moulded borders and a hinged screw-down cover surmounted by a folding...
Silver, Other
Georgian Perpetual Calendar Desk Seal
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This really unusual perpetual calendar desk seal dates to the late Georgian period and is complemented by a smokey quartz handle. The faceted smokey quartz handle features many inclu...
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Price Upon Request
Giacomo Raffaelli Micromosaic Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An Italian green granite box, with a micromosaic mounted in a two-color gold chased border. Depicted is a goldfinch (carduelis carduelis) on a branch with berries and overlooking the Mediterranean. The scene is surrounded by a millefiori border. By Giacomo Raffaelli...
18k Gold
Antique Silver Hand Letter Paper Clip
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Highly unusual paperclip in the form of a silver bejewelled Ladies hand with an elaborate lace cuff and a bracelet. The hand is mounted on a fabric covered base.
Silver
Antique Swivel Seal Pendant/Charm Carnelian & Blood-Stone British Hallmarked
Located in London, GB
Antique swivel seal pendant set with Carnelian and Blood-Stone set in 9-carat rose gold, British Hallmarked Birmingham 1900, Sponsor mark "M&M". Could ...
Carnelian, 9k Gold
$9,500
H 4.25 in W 5.25 in L 9 in
Antique German Figural Renaissance Revival Solid Silver Table Box or Casket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Renaissance Revival table box or casket. In solid silver (likely 800 fine). Likely by Gebrüder Neumann or Storck & Sinsheimer of Hanau, Germany. (Storck & Sinsh...
Silver
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Wax Seal with Hand Carved Jade Bird Handle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This unique, Circa 1800, wax seal begins with an 18K yellow gold base monogrammed with MLO, upon which sits a beautifully carved jade bird. The Jade ...
Jade, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Seal Sunflower Sunburst Motto Agate Bloodstone Gold Pendant Italy
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Wonderful example of an Empire gold seal with an Italian motto engraved in an oval bloodstone: "giamai ingrato". The intaglio depicts a field with a sunflower, a river or a lake, a s...
Agate, Gold
$2,100
H 0.44 in W 1.89 in D 2.01 in
Antique Silver Powder Box Compact box Enamel Painting Genre Scene Silver Gilt
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This exceptional quality powder compact was imported by H C Freedman Ltd of Birmingham in 1914. The box is impressed on the inside with the makers mark, the date letter for 1914, 92...
Silver, Enamel
Midnight Blue Sterling Silver Vessel with Peridot by Designer Astral Vessel's
By Astral Vessels
Located in Boulder, CO
This perfectly tailored deep blue Vessel features a cap that we carved with a harlequin pattern using our antique Rose Engine. The top of the cap is inse...
Peridot, Silver, Titanium
Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, Cartier for Cole Porter
By Cartier
Located in Riverdale, NY
Amazing and Rare Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, by Cartier for Cole Porter. Cole Porter, one of Americas leading songwriters and bon vivants of the e...
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Magnificent French Retro Sapphire Gold Box
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent retro sapphire gold box. Sapphires are perfectly set in graduation with total weight of 25 carats The box has the maker's mark RL & n...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
This aesthetically captivating authentic circa 1950 Cartier eight-day desk clock is made with a solid 14K yellow gold case. It is rendered in artfully textured gold, adding a glitter...
14k Gold, Gold
$395
H 1.76 in W 0.39 in L 3.29 in
Antique R. Blackinton & Co. Sterling Silver Floral Repousse Card Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American silver card holder. By R. Blackinton & Co. In sterling silver. With repousse stylized floral decoration to the front and wavy engraved patterns to both sid...
Sterling Silver
c. 1890-1900 Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Wax Seal with Muse Figure
Located in Honolulu, HI
A masterpiece of late 19th-century craftsmanship. This wax seal features an exquisite Art Nouveau Muse figure sculpted in fine sterling silver. The intricate detailing on the woman’s...
Sterling Silver
Georgian Silver travelling Inkwell London 1814
Located in Toronto, ON
Georgian Silver travelling Inkwell London 1814 prob John Douglas. Small rectangular inkwell plain with moulded borders and a hinged screw-down cover surmounted by a folding shaped an...
Silver
Large Antique Micro-Mosaic of the Doves of Pliny, Hard Stone Plaque, 1825-1850
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique Micro Mosaic Large Hard Stone Plaque (paper weight), c. 1825- 1850. of the "Doves of Pliny" also called the Capitoline Doves. This large micro-mosaic, in fine condition and not missing any of its tesserae, measures 7 inches across. A mosaic is a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces called tesserae. These were different types of hard stones, tile or glass. This is a excellent example of early micro mosaic art...
Ormolu and glass waxseal wheel
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This small Georgian ormolu or gilt bronze wax seal wheel would be a showstopper on any desk and just imagine sealing your letters with it! For centuries let...
Bronze
Sold
H 4.63 in W 2.88 in D 2.88 in
Pair James Robinson 18th Cent. Georgian Style Sterling Silver Taper Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of sterling silver taper candlesticks. By Thomas Bradbury & Son for James Robinson. Each candlestick with a square base with indented & rounded corners supporting a tap...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gold Mounted Citrine Desk Seal, Circa 1815
Located in Chicago, IL
The gold mounted carved citrine desk seal of Charles William Vane, one of Britain’s wealthiest men, who was also the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (177...
Citrine
Sold
H 1.5 in W 3.5 in D 1.75 in
Rare Antique George V English Silver Three Compartment Stamp Box, 1916-1917
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique English stamp box by Goldsmiths' & Silversmiths' Company, circa 1916-17 with three stamp compartments featuring antique stamps under glass. Goldsmiths' & Silversmiths' C...
Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Perpetual Calendar Sunrise Sunset Gold Silver Glass
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Highly unusual and rare perpetual calendar made out of gold and silver. The outer golden case and the rotating silver disk are held in place by a gold rivet set with a red glass ston...
Gold, Silver
18th Century Pinchbeck Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare George II gilt-metal circular box with bombe sides. The lid is inset with a panel inlaid with stylised heads and a basket of flowers with two birds in mother-of-pearl and gilt...
Pinchbeck
1820s-1830s Antique French Mother of Pearl Gold Lorgnette
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1820-30s, 18k, France. If you seek a unique two-hundred-year-old artifact no one else will have, look no further than this pair of lorgnette glasses. Encased in a mother-of-pea...
18k Gold
18th Century Dutch Seal
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A large Dutch 18th century seal in high carat gold in Louis XIV style, beautifully chased with foliate motives, circa 1730. The seal has three sides; with the family crest, mirror...
22k Gold
Antique Fox Head Fob
Located in Baltimore, MD
15K gold cased fob decorated with a fox head embellished with elaborate chasing. Wonderful on a long chain or charm bracelet.
Carnelian, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ecrivez Moi Souvent (Write to Me Often) Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A box - for pens or stamps - with the words "Ecrivez moi souvent" (Write to me often!) written in tiny metal nails. France, circa 1820. Dimensions: 5.7 x 7.5 x 1.2 cm.
Stainless Steel