Edwardian Jewelry
During the Edwardian era (circa 1900 - 1915), rich metals in delicate patterns dominated jewelry fashions. Earrings dangled, necklaces draped and dropped, and brooches and rings featured intricate filligree. Long. layered necklaces, often pearls, went hand-in-hand with "dog collar" chokers. White was the "new black", with platinum, diamonds and pearls being favorites. These were sometimes accompanied by one or more of the precious gem stones - rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Common design motifs were bows, feathers, wreaths and flowers, leading to the the era's other nickname: The Garland era.
The lacy, filigree jewelry of the time was created by a process called die striking. In this manufacturing method, precious metal is placed inside a two-piece "die" or mold, and then struck with a massive amount of force, cutting the metal into the desired shape. While this jewelry looks light and airy, the die striking process compresses the metal, creating a product that is durable and strong. Because of this, quite a few of these delicate looking pieces have survived over a century of wear! Some platinum jewelry items from the Edwardian era which are currently for sale are listed below.
Edwardian jewelry styles are not as familiar to most people as vintage Victorian, Art Nouveau or Art Deco jewelry, but it is still popular among collectors. Vintage Edwardian engagement rings are sought after by modern-day consumers, looking to capture the romance of the era.