Edwardian Floral Gold Pendant
An edwardian floral gold pendant brings together delicate golden petals, pearls and bright gems in a design created to catch the light.
Edwardian Floral Gold Pendant
How They Were Made
Goldsmiths shaped 9ct, 15ct and 18ct gold into slender frames, leaves and wirework mounts to support central gem clusters. Seed pearls were meticulously split, drilled and secured with tiny pegs or adhesive to form floral centres and borders.
Setting techniques combined claw mounts for larger aquamarines, garnets and diamonds alongside grain settings that kept smaller pearls and turquoise securely flush against the metal work.
Edwardian Floral Gold Pendant Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian floral gold pendant among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Several Edwardian floral lockets conceal tiny glass compartments designed to hold a lock of a loved one's hair.
What Varies in Quality
Quality rests on the depth of hand-engraving in the gold and the symmetry of the floral arrangement. Finer examples show crisp leaf veins, balanced gemstone pairings and secure, integrated loops that maintain the piece's hang.
S. Blanckensee & Son
The Edwardian Floral Gold Pendant Glossary
- Seed Pearl
- A tiny, naturally formed pearl used in clusters to depict petals and floral sprays. These small pearls require careful matching in size and lustre.
- Art Nouveau
- A design style prioritising fluid, organic lines and asymmetrical botanical motifs. This movement heavily influenced early twentieth-century jewellery.
- Pietra Dura
- Hardstone inlay technique forming pictorial flower or leaf mosaics within a stone background. This Italian method occasionally appears in period gold mounts.
- Foliate
- Ornamentation shaped like leaves or foliage. This decorative term describes the metal tendrils surrounding central gemstones.
Edwardian Floral Gold Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear a pendant that converts to a brooch?
These versatile pieces feature a hinged pin and safety catch on the reverse alongside a loop for a chain. You can thread a fine gold chain through the top bale for neck wear or tuck the chain away to pin the floral motif directly onto fabric.
Ensure the safety catch remains secure when wearing the piece as a brooch to prevent loss during movement.
What is the difference between 9ct and 15ct gold in these pendants?
Fifteen-carat gold contains a higher proportion of pure gold, resulting in a richer, warmer hue compared to standard 9ct alloys. Goldsmiths often reserved the higher carat for more intricate stone-set designs.
Both purities were widely used during the Edwardian period, though 15ct items generally indicate a higher tier of manufacture.
How do I clean an antique gold and pearl pendant?
Pearls are organic gems that are sensitive to harsh chemicals, alcohol and ultrasonic cleaning machines. Wipe them gently with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth after wearing to remove oils.
Keep the gold polished with a specialist jewellery cloth, taking care not to snag the prongs holding delicate seed pearls in place.