How do I care for antique diamond pieces?

Clean your items gently using warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush to remove everyday oils from the settings. Avoid harsh ultrasonic cleaners that can loosen old cut stones or damage natural pearls. Store each piece in a separate fabric-lined compartment to prevent softer platinum and gold surfaces from scratching against other items in your collection.

Are these pieces suitable for daily wear?

Many sturdy rings and pendants from this era withstand regular daily use provided the prongs are inspected periodically by a specialist. Brooches and delicate drop earrings require more mindful handling due to their intricate metalwork and older pin mechanisms. Removing fine jewellery before engaging in strenuous physical activities or housework ensures the survival of fragile settings and delicate chains.

How can I tell Edwardian from Art Deco?

Edwardian items tend to lean towards organic motifs, garlands, lace-like platinum work, and softer yellow gold pairings. They emphasise flowing natural lines inspired by Belle Epoque elegance. Art Deco pieces shift decisively toward symmetry, geometric patterns, bold colour contrasts with rubies and sapphires, and stark white platinum or white gold frameworks.

Why do old cut diamonds look different?

Master cutters shaped these diamonds by hand under candlelight, resulting in smaller tables, deeper pavilions, and larger culets. This artisan approach prioritises unique scintillation over mathematical brilliance symmetry. The resulting visual character displays distinct broad flashes of light rather than the uniform sparkle found in modern machine-cut stones.

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Edwardian Diamond Jewelry

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Edwardian diamond jewellery brings together delicate platinum settings and old cut stones from the turn of the twentieth century that collectors prize for their hand-crafted elegance.