Edwardian Jewellery

The Edwardian era was a time of abundance for the upper classes, led by the indulgent King Edward VII (reign 1901- 1914). Edward’s love for all things luxurious extended to jewellery and this had a great influence on jewellery fashions of the time. Edwardian Jewellery is often very delicate metalwork that gives jewellery a light and ethereal feel.  Art Nouveau was a strong influence to natural, curving designs that focused on nature and craftsmanship.

Edwardian jewellery, 1901 to 1910

Named for the brief reign of Edward VII, the Edwardian period produced some of the most delicate Edwardian jewellery ever made, enabled largely by the growing use of platinum. Where Victorian settings in gold had to be relatively substantial to hold their shape, platinum's strength let Edwardian jewellers create fine, lace-like galleries, openwork filigree and millegrain edging on a scale that would simply not have been possible before.

Motifs of Edwardian jewellery favour nature and romance - bows, garlands, scrolling foliage and honeycomb patterns - rendered with a lightness that sets genuine Edwardian jewellery apart from both the heavier Victorian jewellery that preceded it and the geometric Art Deco jewellery that followed. Diamonds in Edwardian jewellery, often old European or rose cut, are set to maximise brilliance against the pierced platinum backgrounds typical of the style.

Styles in our Edwardian jewellery collection

Our Edwardian jewellery collection includes Edwardian rings, Edwardian pendants, Edwardian brooches and Edwardian earrings, most in platinum or platinum-topped gold, many featuring the fine filigree and millegrain work the period is known for. Edwardian engagement rings and Edwardian diamond rings are among our most popular pieces, prized for their delicate, lace-like settings.

Given how delicate Edwardian filigree can be, we check each piece of Edwardian jewellery closely for worn or repaired sections before it goes on sale, and we note any restoration honestly. Whether you are looking for an Edwardian ring, an Edwardian pendant or an Edwardian brooch, every piece in our collection is examined individually rather than assessed as a batch.

Buying Edwardian jewellery: what to look for

If you are new to Edwardian jewellery, the fineness of the metalwork is worth seeing in person - photographs rarely do justice to the openwork detail on genuine Edwardian jewellery. Look closely at the platinum galleries and milgrain edging, which are among the clearest signs of authentic Edwardian craftsmanship.

Condition and repair history matter more with Edwardian jewellery than with sturdier later pieces, given how fine the original settings often are. We are always transparent about any restoration work on a piece of Edwardian jewellery and can point out specific areas of repair if you ask.

Visit us or browse online

Our Edwardian jewellery collection is updated regularly as new pieces come in. You are welcome to visit us at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00, to see pieces close up before deciding, or contact us directly with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions