Gold Aquamarine Pendant
A gold aquamarine pendant brings together pale blue beryl and warm precious metal, prized for delicate drop designs.
How they were made
Goldsmiths shaped nine carat and fifteen carat gold into intricate wirework, knife-edge bars, and delicate bezels to hold the central beryl stones. Stones received various cuts including oval, trillion, and asscher shapes, while some Victorian examples incorporated foil backs to enhance colour.
Jewellers integrated supporting gems such as seed pearls, white sapphires, diamonds, and rock crystal using granulation and claw settings. Art Nouveau and Edwardian workshops relied on hand-pierced frames and millegrain edges to secure these supplementary elements.
What varies in quality
Quality rests on the depth and saturation of the aquamarine crystal, alongside the precision of the stone-cutter's facets. Larger carat weights paired with clean transparency elevate certain pendants above standard production pieces.
Construction detail defines the upper tier of the range, visible in substantial fifteen carat gold settings, crisp foliate repoussé work, and securely matched seed pearls. Finer items retain intact original settings and harmonious proportions between the central gem and surrounding metalwork.
Gold Aquamarine Pendant Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold aquamarine 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.
Listings feature Edwardian, Victorian, and Art Deco styles, employing aquamarines, seed pearls, diamonds, and rock crystal set in gold.
The Gold Aquamarine Pendant Glossary
- Aquamarine
- A pale blue to light green variety of beryl mineral used as the primary gemstone in these pendants. It takes its name from the Latin for seawater.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often half-drilled and glued or pegged onto gold pins. These tiny pearls form delicate floral and foliate borders around central gems in Edwardian pieces.
- Lavalier
- A pendant necklace featuring a drop that suspends further dangling elements below the main stone. This style gained popularity during the Edwardian and Art Nouveau periods.
- Foil back
- A technique where a thin sheet of reflective metal is placed behind a gemstone within a closed setting to brighten its colour. This method appears more frequently in earlier Victorian pieces.
- Millegrain
- A jeweller's technique creating a border of tiny raised metal beads along the edge of a setting. It adds a soft, textured finish characteristic of Edwardian fine work.
Gold Aquamarine Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these pendants come from?
The pieces span the Victorian era, the Edwardian period around nineteen-ten, and the later Art Deco nineteen-thirties. Each era brings distinct design signatures to the goldwork and stone arrangement.
Victorian and Edwardian versions lean towards organic motifs and seed pearls, whereas Art Deco examples favour geometric lines and bolder stone cuts.
What gold purities are used in these necklaces?
Makers constructed these pendants using nine carat and fifteen carat gold, alongside occasional higher or lower purities. Yellow gold predominates, with white gold appearing in later twentieth-century styles.
Fifteen carat gold is particularly characteristic of the Edwardian pieces recorded in the archive.
How should I wear an antique pendant?
These drop pendants sit on fine gold chains, making them suitable for everyday wear with careful handling. Pairing them with period-appropriate necklines highlights their vertical drop designs.
Store them separately in a lined box to protect the soft beryl stones and delicate seed pearls from friction.
What stones accompany the aquamarine?
Common companion gems include tiny seed pearls, white sapphires, diamonds, and rock crystal. Synthetic rubies also appear in specific Art Nouveau designs.
These secondary stones are flush-set or bead-set into the surrounding gold frame to complement the pale blue beryl centrepiece.