Edwardian Turquoise Chain
These edwardian turquoise chain pieces combine bright blue stones with warm gold links to wear every day.
Edwardian Turquoise Chain
An edwardian turquoise chain brings together vibrant blue cabochons and worked gold links from the early years of the twentieth century. These pieces include longuard chains, necklaces, and bracelets, often paired with natural pearls or seed pearls.
The versions most commonly met on this page span the late Victorian to Edwardian periods, crossing into the 1920s with curb, paperclip, and fancy link formations. Makers combined turquoise with 9ct and 15ct yellow and rose gold to create substantial wearable lengths.
Materials and construction
Goldsmiths worked with 9ct and 15ct yellow and rose gold, shaping metal into curb links, paperclip chains, and hollow longuard constructions. Dog clips and safety chains were integrated into the longer pieces for secure daily wear.
Turquoise stones and pearls were set into gold bezels or mounted alongside seed pearls in snake, knot, and suffragette motifs. Silver also appears alongside turquoise in specific Arts and Crafts designs.
Edwardian Turquoise Chain Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian turquoise chain 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.
Some chains stretch past fifty inches, offering enough gold length to double up and still loop a dog clip through your pocket.
Quality factors
The weight of the gold and the substantial feel of the links separate heavier longuard chains and solid curb bracelets from lighter rolled gold variations. Heavier gram weights indicate robust construction meant to carry pendants or charms securely.
The uniform colour and matrix of the turquoise stones, alongside the secure matching of natural pearls or seed pearls, determine the refinement of the piece. Intricate details such as lovers knot motifs or signed metalwork elevate the workmanship.
The Gaskins
The Edwardian Turquoise Chain Glossary
- Longuard chain
- A very long chain, often fifty inches or more, originally designed to hold a lorgnette or pocket watch. These pieces are now worn doubled or tripled around the neck.
- Curb link
- A type of chain made of interlocked, slightly flattened links that lie flat against the skin. This formation provides durability and a smooth feel.
- Seed pearl
- A very small, natural or saltwater pearl, often half-drilled and glued or pegged onto a backing. They appear frequently in Edwardian cluster settings alongside turquoise.
- Dog clip
- A spring-loaded swivel clasp attached to the end of a longuard chain. It allows the wearer to attach pendants or secure the chain in multiple configurations.
Edwardian Turquoise Chain: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear a longuard chain?
A longuard chain is substantial enough to be doubled around the neck or worn at its full length of over fifty inches. The attached dog clip allows you to secure pendants or fasten the chain into loops.
Many collectors use the dog clip to anchor a watch or a small decorative fob, adapting the length to suit different necklines.
What gold purity should I expect?
Jewellery from this era commonly appears in 9ct and 15ct gold, rendered in both yellow and rose tones. Rolled gold is also present in some surviving sets.
Higher carat figures indicate a greater proportion of pure gold, resulting in a richer colour and heavier feel in the hand.
How do I distinguish Edwardian from Victorian pieces?
Victorian pieces often feature heavier, darker rose gold and robust curb links, reflecting mid to late nineteenth-century tastes. Edwardian items tend to display lighter hues, delicate seed pearl work, and airier link patterns.
Overlaps occur because styles evolved gradually across the turn of the twentieth century.