Gold Bow Jewellery
Gold bow jewellery brings together precious metals and sparkling stones shaped into ribbons, with Edwardian brooches and pendants most common on this page.
Gold Bow Jewellery
Gold bow jewellery takes the form of brooches, pendants, rings, necklaces, and earrings modelled after tied ribbons. Buyers seeking this phrase encounter delicate Edwardian ribbon motifs alongside Victorian, Georgian, and Art Deco interpretations.
The selections span distinct periods from the nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. Edwardian and Victorian pieces dominate the forms, frequently combining gold with diamonds, pearls, and turquoise.
How they were made
Goldsmiths shaped yellow, white, and silver-gilt gold into intricate ribbon loops and knots. These metal mounts were then set by hand with old-cut diamonds, natural pearls, turquoise, rubies, and sapphires.
Techniques varied from solid 15ct and 18ct gold construction to silver-topped gold settings designed to enhance the brilliance of early diamond cuts.
Gold Bow Jewellery Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold bow jewellery 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.
Current listings span periods from the Georgian era through to mid-century retro, utilising gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, and turquoise.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the delicacy of the metalwork and the harmony of the stones. Finer pieces demonstrate precise articulation in the ribbon folds and careful matching of pearls, diamonds, or coloured gemstones.
The distinction between standard output and superior examples lies in the weight of the gold and the complexity of the stone settings, such as multi-stone diamond pavé versus simpler single-stone accents.
The Gold Bow Jewellery Glossary
- Bow brooch
- A fastening pin shaped in the form of a ribbon knot. These pieces often feature suspended drops or pendants beneath the main bow.
- Old-cut diamond
- A hand-faceted diamond typical of antique jewellery. It produces a softer, broader flash of light than modern brilliant cuts.
- Silver-gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold. This technique was used to combine the warm tone of gold with the bright setting properties of silver.
- Double collar brooch pin
- A specialised fastening design used to secure multiple chains or collars. It shares structural similarities with traditional bar and bow brooches.
Gold Bow Jewellery: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these pieces come from?
The pieces span multiple historical eras, with a strong representation of Edwardian and Victorian examples.
Items also reach back to the Georgian period and forward through Art Deco and mid-century modern design.
How were bow brooches worn historically?
Brooches were pinned to the bodice or neckline of garments. Many designs also included loops to convert the brooch into a pendant.
This dual functionality allowed wearers to pin the bow to clothing or suspend it from a neck chain.
What stones accompany the gold bow designs?
Diamonds and pearls appear frequently alongside coloured gems such as turquoise, rubies, sapphires, and garnets.
Combinations often pair diamonds with pearls or turquoise set within yellow or white gold mounts.
How do I identify an Edwardian bow piece?
Edwardian items frequently utilise platinum or white gold alongside yellow gold, often incorporating light lace-like metalwork.
Motifs from this era lean heavily into airy ribbon bows set with numerous small old-cut diamonds.