What is an art nouveau gold lavalier?

An art nouveau gold lavalier is a pendant necklace featuring a suspended drop stone, created during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. These jewels showcase organic motifs and fluid lines characteristic of the turn of the twentieth century.

How do I wear a lavalier pendant?

These pendants hang from fine gold chains, often sitting just below the collarbone to highlight the central drop. Because many examples were originally made as brooches with pendant loops, they offer versatility in how they can be pinned or worn around the neck.

How do I distinguish Edwardian from Victorian pieces?

Edwardian pieces tend to utilise lighter openwork frames in 15ct gold alongside crisp peridots and aquamarines. Victorian examples often lean towards heavier 9ct gold settings paired with amethysts and garnets. Both periods overlap heavily around the turn of the century in their embrace of floral designs.

What gems appear in these necklaces?

Amethyst, peridot, aquamarine, and seed pearls dominate the stones found in these historic necklaces. Diamonds, garnets, turquoise, and tourmalines also appear frequently in specific artistic or political designs. Pearls are almost exclusively tiny seed pearls used to outline petals or frame coloured stones.