Edwardian Suffragette Pendant
An edwardian suffragette pendant carries the distinct purple, white, and green stones of the movement, forged in gold during the early twentieth century.
Edwardian Suffragette Pendant
When you search for an edwardian suffragette pendant, you encounter pieces defined by the colours of the Women's Social and Political Union, symbolising dignity, purity, and hope. The versions most commonly met on this page combine amethyst, peridot, and seed pearl in delicate openwork frames.
The objects span the Edwardian period and the early twentieth century, alongside occasional Victorian and later pieces sharing the same palette. They take the form of pendants, lavaliers, and drop necklaces, frequently paired with fine gold chains.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard examples and finer work lies in the weight of the gold and the complexity of the metalwork. Heavier 15ct gold mountings and sophisticated garland or lavaliers designs represent a higher grade of craftsmanship.
Stone selection also dictates worth, with deeply saturated amethysts, vibrant peridots, and well-matched, luminous seed pearls elevating a piece far above simpler, lighter alternatives.
Some pendants hide tiny seed pearls so small they resemble grains of sand, threaded by hand over a century ago.
The Edwardian Suffragette Pendant Glossary
- Lavalier
- A pendant featuring a dangling stone or drop suspended from a central motif. This style gained immense popularity during the Edwardian era.
- Seed Pearl
- Very small, naturally occurring pearls, often drilled and strung together or applied as tiny accents in clusters and floral garlands.
- Garland Style
- A decorative design motif characterised by ribbons, swags, and floral wreaths, heavily favoured in jewellery of the early twentieth century.
- Art Nouveau
- An artistic movement influencing jewellery design through organic, flowing lines, whiplash curves, and stylised natural forms.
Edwardian Suffragette Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What colours are suffragette jewellery?
Suffragette jewellery uses purple, white, and green stones. These hues represent loyalty, purity, and hope.
Amethysts provide the purple, seed pearls or white sapphires supply the white, and peridots or tourmalines deliver the green.
Are these pendants Edwardian?
Many date from the Edwardian era and the early twentieth century. Some pieces originate from the late Victorian period or slightly later.
The specific stone combinations and design motifs typically align with the political movement's active years.
How do I wear a lavalier?
Lavaliers hang from delicate gold chains that sit around the collarbone. The central drop moves slightly with the wearer.
They pair well with period clothing or simple modern necklines that let the pendant's drop design stand out.
What gold is used in these pendants?
These pieces utilise both 9ct and 15ct yellow gold. The higher carat weight indicates a greater gold content.
Mounts and chains were often matched in the same gold purity by the original maker.