Edwardian Jewellery

The Edwardian era was named after Edward VII, who reigned between 1901 and 1910. Following on from the Victorian period before it, the royal family continued to be a huge influence on fashion and culture throughout Edward’s time. The elegant lifestyle of King Edward and Queen Alexandra inspired the lives of people all over the country and the Belle Epoque era began. In high society, jewellery was a major part of the dress code.

The Edwardian era saw a rise in the use of platinum in jewellery designs. Edwardian earrings, engagement rings, and necklaces often used intricate metalwork techniques such as filigree and milgrain, which were possible because of platinum’s lightweight strength. The Edwardian period also saw the popularisation of diamonds in engagement rings. They were often incorporated in a halo setting, surrounded by smaller gemstones. Diamonds and pearls were a status symbol and reflected the sophistication that was so popular in the period.

In most Edwardian jewellery, innovation and intricacy took centre stage. Jewellers enjoyed the creativity that working with platinum afforded them, and because of this, detailed motifs rose to prominence, indicated by the popularity of solitaire vintage engagement rings from the period. Horseshoes, clovers, hearts, bows, and flower symbols became commonplace, especially on brooches or pins.

More than ever, jewellery represented femininity. Edwardian Suffragette jewellery incorporated the famous campaign colours of purple, white, and green, allowing women to truly display their political opinions in the public sphere.