EDWARDIAN JEWELRY
The Edwardian era, like the Georgian and Victorian eras before it, derives its name from the reign of an English King, Edward VII (1901-1910). This is the final jewelry period appellation to be defined by a British monarch. Edward was the lighthearted, luxury-loving antithesis of his mother. Even while he was still the Prince of Wales, Edward was infamous for being a playboy and a gambler. After his coronation he continued to surround himself with fast-moving, nouveau riche plutocrats, spending the majority of his time engaged in various social endeavors. Jewelry was an important part of the lifestyle cultivated by this extremely wealthy upper class. When considering the stylistic elements of the Edwardian period, the era actually begins earlier, during the declining years of the reign of Queen Victoria, and ends a few years after Edward’s death with the onset of World War I. To the rest of Europe, this period was characterized as La Belle Époque.
Millegraining, a new decorative technique made possible by the use of platinum, is featured often on Edwardian jewelry. Its border of delicate balls and ridges surrounding a gemstone or on the knife sharp edges of a design served to give jewelry a softer, lighter look.
Wearing far fewer bracelets together at one time than their Victorian counterparts, the fashion for bracelets turned to delicate tapered designs with repeating motifs, elongated forms, or links in the new more refined style afforded by platinum. Another popular bracelet fashion was composed of a front section of beautiful, gem-set design completed by expanding and contracting plain links circling to the underside of the wrist. These bracelets were easy to fit to the wearer and less expensive because they were only employed gemstones on the top side. These antique bracelets to be worn snug to the wrist.
This exquisite example features two old European Cut diamonds collet set between a solitary luminous pearl. Finely engraved with extraordinary finesse~
The well matched diamonds weigh approx. 0.20 ct.
Weight approx. 11.15 gram
The condition is very good with negligible wear commensurate with age.
Please read the following additional important terms/disclosures:
Most of the jewelry listed is either gently used or very, very old. To that end, some pieces may have some minor wear and/or repairs and shall not be considered in PERFECT CONDITION. This is to be expected, especially in those pieces that are nearly 100 years of age!
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact.
Any NOTABLE defects, repairs or dings will be specifically addressed in the item description.
Should you have specific questions or concerns, kindly send me an email as I'm happy to provide additional clarity if available.
ALL diamonds, gold and platinum, HAVE BEEN TESTED, and if described as a diamond or a particular karat, such as 18k gold or platinum, the item HAS BEEN TESTED BY ME and verified to be as described.
Please note that all items listed as precious metals are either marked (in which case there will be a photo clearly showing the mark) or acid tested to ensure metal purity.
Unless otherwise stated, COLORED GEMSTONES SUCH AS RUBY OR SAPPHIRE have not been tested.
Jewelry items HAVE NOT been cleaned or polished by me, as I leave this decision up to the buyer.
brc-2319