A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Jewellery (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Edwardian and Victorian jewelry? ›

Victorian jewellery often featured brightly coloured gemstones like amethyst, topaz and garnet, which were used to create bold and eye-catching pieces. In contrast, Edwardian jewellery favoured the use of diamonds and other precious gemstones which were often set in lacy settings to create a light and delicate look.

First, check the materials. During the Edwardian era, new materials were being used in jewellery for the first time, such as platinum and iridescent opals. So, if your piece is made from these materials, it's likely to be Edwardian.

Incredible Value – not only is Victorian jewellery less expensive than a new, similar piece, but you also don't pay any manufacturing fees, since these are already included in the price of the item you buy.

Workmanship, Rarity and Value

Victorian jewellers were masters of their craft, and the prosperity of the era allowed them to create a great many pieces with a level of skill that has seen many survive to the present day.

Apart from gemstones, the other important factor that helps identify authentic Victorian Jewelry is the metal used in the manufacturing process. Copper, gold, silver, and steel were the metals commonly used in this era. Although rare, you can also find Victorian jewelry pieces engraved with Platinum.

Jewelry pieces in the varied styles of this period fill antique stores across the country. Whether whimsical or imposing, this jewelry design period has a style for everyone. Most Aesthetic Period jewelry was machine produced. Manufacturers stamped their marks on these pieces.

The carat value of gold is also shown as a decimal. 9 carat gold has a decimal value of . 375. The decimal value for 15 carat gold is . 675.

Colored gold, particularly red and green, was used generously in creating floral and leaf pattern motifs, used most commonly in brooches, rings and buckles. These pieces were usually engraved and often decorated with small semi-precious stones, such as garnet and turquoise.

Simple way by which you can identify antique jewelry is to first check for hallmarks. Hallmarks are a good way of identifying the age of the jewelry and also the purity of gold.

One such piece to look for is Art Deco jewelry from the 1920s or 1930s. “Pieces from this era, especially those with geometrical designs and vibrant gemstones, can fetch high prices,” said Claver. “For example, an authentic Art Deco diamond bracelet might sell for several thousand dollars.”

Is it OK to wear vintage jewelry? ›

Wearing vintage jewelry adds a touch of nostalgia and uniqueness to any outfit. Vintage pieces often have intricate designs and details that are not commonly found in modern jewelry. To wear vintage jewelry stylishly, it's important to follow some guidelines. First, think about the piece of jewelry you are wearing.

Whether you're in Australia or shopping internationally, the comeback of these historical adornments is undeniable—a trend that honors tradition while making a sophisticated statement in contemporary fashion.

Victorians embraced pearls, which felt less ostentatious than colored gemstones and so appealed to the British upperclass for daytime wear. They were also “allowed” to be worn in mourning: Victorians believed that pearls represented tears.

VALUE. Older rings are, by their very nature, used, secondhand pieces. This can give couples some surprising bargains and lower prices to choose from when compared to new, modern rings, especially when comparing prices per carat of the ring's stones.

What's the difference between Edwardian and Victorian? Victorian as an adjective covers the period 1837–1901 (the reign of Queen Victoria). Her son Edward VII reigned 1901–1910 but the Edwardian period is sometimes more loosely considered to be 1901–1914 (i.e. to the start of WW1).

Edwardian jewelry is known for representing femininity while incorporating a lot of the color white. Think diamonds, pearls and white metals like platinum and white gold. Diamonds often had an Old Mine or European cut and sapphires were a popular choice for a pop of color.

After the dark fabrics, heavy skirts and bustles of the Victorian era, Edwardian fashion turned to lighter, blousier styles that aimed to liberate women from the stiff conventions of the nineteenth century.