How do I wear an edwardian openwork pendant?

These pendants suspend from fine gold or silver chains, sitting close to the collarbone or lower down on a longer lavalier chain. Their delicate construction pairs well with simple necklines that allow the intricate metalwork and stones to stand out. Many examples feature a pin mechanism on the back, enabling the piece to function as a brooch on a lapel or scarf. Care should be taken with the fine wirework and seed pearls during daily wear.

How do I tell an edwardian pendant from a victorian one?

Edwardian pendants typically showcase lighter, more airy openwork designs using platinum and higher grades of gold alongside diamonds and peridots. Victorian pieces tend toward heavier, more solid gold mountings with darker stones and denser cluster arrangements. Stylistic overlaps occur during transitional periods around nineteen hundred, where makers combined Victorian settings with emerging Art Nouveau or Edwardian motifs. Hallmark dates and gold carats often clarify the exact period of manufacture.

What stones are common in edwardian pendants?

Peridots, amethysts, aquamarines and tourmalines appear frequently as central stones, accompanied by abundant seed pearls. White sapphires and old-cut diamonds also accent the openwork frames to provide sparkle. Turquoise and garnets also feature in pieces bridging the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. The stones are typically chosen for their pastel or vibrant colour contrast against the yellow and rose gold.