1910's-1920's Engagement Rings and Jewelry

 

         1910's-1920's Engagement Rings and Jewelry1910's-1920's Engagement Rings and Jewelry 1910's-1920's Engagement Rings and Jewelry

                                                                      

It was an age of opulence and optimism; Edward V11 had ascended the throne of England at the age of 56 at the turn of the century. His mother, Queen Victoria had passed away in 1901. The new king was fun-loving and sociable, unlike his more austere and famously prudish mother, and beautiful jewelry was an important part of the lifestyle of a member of the privileged classes. It reflected who you were in society - and the upper classes were certainly not shy about openly proclaiming their wealth through their choice in exquisite jewelry. 

If you remember the stunning tiaras and jewelry worn by the Crawley sisters and the Dowager Duchess of Grantham in the recent PBS mega hit, Downton Abbey, you will start to understand the importance of good jewelry in high society; one was expected to dress formally for dinner – and that often included a diamond tiara. Elegance and fashion became one of Edwardian society’s most important values. 

With influences from the French courts of the eighteenth century, jewelry started to take on an almost ethereal lightness. Fashionable women of the day were wearing delicate layers of lace, silk and feathers which were predominantly pastel or white, so jewelry design also took on a complementary, delicate and intricate look. Edwardian jewelry was made to look as light as possible and with new advances in the fabrication of platinum, it was now possible to incorporate fine, sophisticated designs into pieces that had strength yet extreme delicacy. Many Edwardian brooches, rings and pendants took on the very feminine look of fine lace or “petit point’ embroidery. The technique of “milgraining” was often used during this time period. It is a tiny border of small balls or delicate ridges around the setting or outer edges of a stones that gives it a soft, light look, similar to what you will see on the edge of a coin.  

Edwardian engagement rings and jewelry is famous for its diamond, platinum and pearl “white on white” pieces which are highly prized for their quality and workmanship. For the first time, the flash and sparkle of a diamond became increasingly important as people started to attend social gatherings lit by electricity and not candles. Suddenly the darker stones from the mourning jewelry of the late Victorian era looked heavy and old fashioned. It was time to lighten up and move on. Great Britain was enjoying increased prosperity and its more privileged citizens felt it was their right to enjoy their wealth and flaunt their membership in the aristocratic classes. Queen Alexandra was often the inspiration for new fashions trends. She adored jewelry and wore copious amounts of it in a multi-layered layered look. She loved the dog collar, which was a tight fitting necklace, often made of diamonds and pearls. It was said she had a scar on her neck that she wanted to hide. 

Although one often sees Art Nouveau or Art Deco lines in Edwardian jewelry, Edwardian styles tended to be more formal and elegant, with influences from classic shapes of the past rather than modern design movements developing at the time. The négligé pendant became very fashionable during the Edwardian era. This type of  necklace had two drops of unequal length, dangling from either a single stone or central element, all suspended from a very fine chain. The sautoir (or long necklace) was usually made of pearls and ended in a tassel. This was one of the most fashionable of the Edwardian Jewels because it was a personal favorite of Queen Alexandra. Stars, ribbons, feathers and bows were favorite motifs for Edwardian Jewelry. Diamonds were the most popular gemstone of the period, but amethysts, peridots, garnets, pale blue sapphires, unheated aquamarines with their subtle green undertones and black opals from Australia were also favored. These colored gems were frequently combined with tiny pearls or diamonds. Calibre-cut rubies, emeralds, sapphires and amethysts were set with baguette, triangular, trapeze, and marquise shaped diamonds. Although Edward VII died in 1910 the "Edwardian" style continued until the outbreak of the war. World War I put an abrupt end to the light hearted Edwardian spirit. Life changed overnight and jewelry all but disappeared, either hid away in secure vaults or sold.  

Today Edwardian jewelry is very expensive and highly prized. In 2012, a platinum, natural pearl and diamond corsage brooch, dated circa 1910, sold for $2,042,000 at a Sotheby’s auction; the market for Edwardian jewelry will certainly only get stronger as time goes on. However, you can continue to savor its elegance and sophistication by selecting one of the authentic Edwardian  pieces from the Sylvia’s Antique Jewelry collection. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, why not continue to enjoy the looks and designs that thrilled followers of the series all over the world; from Downton Abbey costume tea parties to  trivia games, to books, to memorabilia, the craze seems unlikely to abate. The Dowager Duchess of Grantham would certainly not have approved of all the fuss (!) but you can make your own statement and continue to enjoy her style to your heart’s content.

For Edwardian  Jewelry please call us at   800-969-6930 or  Email Us