Edwardian Elegance
 Though King Edward VII, after whom this period of jewelry history is named, reigned over England for only nine years, the style of jewelry known as “Edwardian” was created roughly between 1890 and 1920. The Edwardian period is also known as the “Belle Epoch,” named for the decadent lifestyle of Edward and Queen Alexandra, which helped established an international high society for which fine jewelry was a requisite part of the dress code and everything centered on extreme lavishness and the pursuit of pleasure. Though the style of Edwardian jewelry is credited to the English royal couple, the French influenced the style of Edwardian jewelry as well.
In contrast to other concurrent styles of jewelry design such as Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau, Edwardian jewelry’s design was very traditional. The Edwardian period is often overlooked as it coincided with the more famous periods of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. While many artists were solely focused on these styles, many of the larger jewelry firms such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier worked to improve diamond cutting and setting technology to improve the look of the Edwardian jewelry that was in high demand among the upper echelons of European society. While Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements valued design and craftsmanship over the value of materials used in the jewelry, Edwardian jewelry continued to place heavy emphasis on the materials used; pearls, diamonds, platinum, and other precious materials were frequently used in Edwardian jewelry in monochromatic or white color schemes.
Intricate design is a hallmark of Edwardian jewelry, which is often distinguished from other pieces based on its delicate and lace-like appearance, enabled through the use of platinum with invisible settings. Also popular was the millgrained setting. The strength of platinum enabled strikingly detailed creations, and platinum was readily worked into scalloped edges, giving the jewelry the appearance of lace. While the Edwardian period had its roots in the late Victorian period, the diamonds and other materials used in Edwardian jewelry were set and cut to look delicate in contrast to earlier diamonds. Edwardian jewelry was thus designed to complement the white silk and lace being worn by affluent Edwardian ladies. In addition to diamonds and pearls, stones such as amethysts, peridots (favorites of the royal couple), blue sapphires, garnets, alexandrites, rubies and turquoise are often found in Edwardian jewelry. Also used were black Australian opals and aquamarines. During World War I, when platinum was not available for use in jewelry, white gold was commonly used.
King Edward was passionate about horse racing, and horseshoes were a popular motif in Edwardian jewelry. Other popular motifs were clovers, stars, hearts, bows and shamrocks.
With its offices located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Beladora (1-800-680-9569 or sales@beladora.com is recognized as one of the best sources of Edwardian jewelry on the Internet. Beladora is owned by Kazanjian Brothers, Inc., a company with almost a century of jewelry expertise. At Beladora, we’re thrilled to be able to connect with customers through our website, bringing our carefully selected beautiful and unique pieces to jewelry lovers across the globe. In addition to carrying Edwardian jewelry, Beladora carries jewelry from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro, Victorian, Edwardian, Mid-century, Modern and Contemporary periods. You’ll find an extensive range of gorgeous necklaces and pendants, bracelets and rings, earrings and brooches.
Our Gift Boutique makes it easy to find the perfect present using your preferred price range to narrow down choices. And remember - keep checking our site periodically for new arrivals as our inventory is constantly being updated with our latest finds! For more information on Edwardian jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569 and thank you for visiting Beladora.com!
Diamond Edwardian Jewelry
Diamonds were primarily used in Edwardian jewelry, and were the most popular gemstone of the Edwardian period. This encouraged the development of new techniques in diamond-cutting, giving rise to new cuts such as the marquise, emerald and baguette in Edwardian diamond jewelry. The briolette cut was used for stones in Edwardian diamond earrings and lavalier necklaces.
Edwardian Jewelry: Understated Elegance
Edwardian diamond jewelry is much more understated and elegant than the jewelry from other periods. The use of invisible settings strengthened by platinum gave the diamonds a brighter appearance and allowed for more intricate designs with floral and foliate motifs. The exquisitely pieces produced during the Edwardian period continue to exude royalty even today, and a piece of Edwardian diamond jewelry is a great choice for a timelessly elegant addition to your jewelry collection.
Beladora carries a constantly-updated selection of Edwardian diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Our return policy means you can buy with confidence. All items are carefully packaged and shipped speedily to your door. We also do custom designs of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and other items. For more information, just call 1-800-680-9569 or email sales@beladora.com to speak with our knowledgeable representatives.
Edwardian Necklaces
 During the Edwardian period, clothing was lighter and softer than it had been for generations, and the lighter, more delicate styles of Edwardian jewelry with colorless or pastel color schemes reflected this change in fashion. The women wore their hair swept up with high collars during the day, and wore lower necklines during the evening. They wore ethereal gowns of lace, silk and ruffles, and the Edwardian jewelry was designed to blend in with these materials. Queen Alexandra’s styles were very influential on Edwardian jewelry. She toured India with Edward and began wearing jewelry influenced by Indian designs, such as sautoir and choker necklaces. Sautoirs are unique to the Edwardian period. The term refers to a long necklace that ends with a tassel or a pendant. The necklace portion of Edwardian sautoirs is often made from pearls or platinum, while the tassels usually are made from pearls.
Also popular during this period was the Edwardian garland necklace, of which Cartier is credited as having first created, referring to neo-classical and Rococo-styled necklaces with delicate floral, foliate and lace patterns made from diamonds and platinum. Also unique to the Edwardian period was the Edwardian négligeé pendant necklace, usually consisting of two pendant drops of unequal length attached to a stone or to draping pieces of fine chain.
Look Like Royalty With An Edwardian Necklace!
Whether it’s a draping sautoir or a lace-like choker, you will look like royalty with an Edwardian necklace that was likely inspired by something worn by Queen Alexandra herself. Beladora carries a beautiful selection of Edwardian necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings, perfect for a special occasion or an elegant evening out. Beladora also carries Edwardian earrings, bracelets, brooches and rings.
We hope you will visit us again often to see new estate jewelry from the Edwardian period and beyond. Please contact us at 1-800-680-9569 or sales@beladora.com with any questions, or simply start shopping for Edwardian jewelry now!
Edwardian Rings
Edwardian rings were often made from platinum or white gold with diamonds set in an oblong formation and feature Old European Cut or Old Mine Cut diamonds. The metal was often filigree detailed. Popular during this time was the “invisible setting,” which involved very little metal being used to hold a gemstone or diamond in place. This setting was enabled through the use of platinum, which is very strong. Diamonds and pearls were favored in Edwardian rings to give an all-white look that matched the pale clothing in fashion at the time. Amethysts, a violet stone that was the favorite of Queen Alexandra, were also often included in Edwardian rings.
Edwardian Rings: A Touch of Royalty
Though not every woman could afford much of the opulent Edwardian jewelry being produced at the time, many women invested in elegant Edwardian rings. Considered by many to be some of the most gorgeous diamond jewelry every produced, Edwardian diamond rings and other diamond jewelry were favored by the royals and international elite of the turn of the century, and as such are truly stunning pieces. Give a gift that is both striking and unique, crafted with the utmost skill and care. Give her an Edwardian ring.
Beladora’s inventory is constantly being updated with new one-of-a-kind Edwardian necklaces, rings, brooches, earrings and bracelets. At Beladora, our return policy means you can buy with confidence. All items are carefully packaged and shipped speedily to your door. We also do custom designs of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and other items. For more information, just call 1-800-680-9569 or email sales@beladora.com to speak with our knowledgeable representatives.
Edwardian Brooches
Popular during the Edwardian era were bar brooches with moonstones, opals or amethysts flanked by a row of diamonds or pearls on each side. Also popular were brooches with reversed carved or painted crystal pictures of animals and landscapes.
The bow shape, which was immensely popular during the Victorian area, is also often found in Edwardian brooches and other Edwardian jewelry. The Edwardian version was produced in a honeycomb mesh pattern made from platinum, thus matching the lacey, delicate clothing worn by Edwardian women. Circular brooches with lacy filigree designs were also popular, as were designs featuring half-moons and stars.
Edwardian Brooches: Fit For A Queen!
Edwardian jewelry was crafted to look like lace and there is strong accord amongst jewelry experts that Edwardian jewelry includes some of the most elegant and superbly crafted pieces ever created. An Edwardian brooch makes a great investment! It’s beauty transcends fads and trends, and is as gorgeous now as it was a century ago. It can be worn in countless ways: add glint to a little black dress; turn an ordinary updo into something truly stunning; use it on your evening wrap, wear it as a pendant, the possibilities are endless! Made from materials chosen for their high intrinsic value, Edwardian jewelry is always an excellent choice.
For more information on Edwardian jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569.
Beyond Edwardian Jewelry
Once you’re done looking through our collection of Edwardian jewelry, be sure to check out our other period collections, which includes pieces from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro, Victorian, Mid-century, Modern and Contemporary periods. You’ll find an extensive range of gorgeous necklaces and pendants, bracelets and rings, earrings and brooches.
Our Gift Boutique makes it easy to find the perfect present using your preferred price range to narrow down choices. And remember - keep checking our site periodically for new arrivals as inventory is constantly updated with our latest finds! For more information on Edwardian jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569.
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