Gold Openwork Pendant
A gold openwork pendant offers intricate metalwork and stone settings designed to catch the light, making it a treasured addition to any collection.
Gold Openwork Pendant
When you search for a gold openwork pendant, you encounter delicate pieces of jewellery that showcase intricate wirework or pierced metal designs. These items originate from periods such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as well as the 1920s.
The selections available include French religious medals and pieces featuring simulated rubies, seed pearls, and pink gemstones. Forms range from traditional pendants to specialised charm amulets and ball cages.
How They Were Made
Craftsmen utilised various grades of gold, including 9ct yellow and rose gold, 15ct gold, and 18k yellow gold, to construct the foundational structures. Openwork techniques required precise piercing and soldering of the metal to create airy, skeletal patterns.
Gemstones such as simulated rubies, seed pearls, and pink gemstones were then carefully set into the gold frameworks. Specialised items like bezoar goa stone case ball cages demonstrate complex assembly tailored to hold specific contents.
Listings feature Victorian, Edwardian, and 1920s periods, utilising 9ct, 15ct, and 18k gold alongside seed pearls and simulated rubies.
What Varies in Quality
The refinement of the piercing and the weight of the gold determine the upper tier of these pieces. Heavier grades like 15ct and 18k yellow gold provide a more substantial feel compared to lighter 9ct alternatives.
The choice and setting of adornments also dictate the standard, with natural seed pearls and well-cut pink gemstones elevating a piece above those set with simple simulated stones.
Pageri Perroud
The Gold Openwork Pendant Glossary
- Openwork
- A metalworking technique where patterns are pierced or cut through the metal to create a light, porous design. This method defines the aesthetic of the category.
- Seed Pearl
- Very small, naturally occurring pearls often used in clusters or borders during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. They add a delicate luminescence to gold settings.
- Bezoar Stone
- A calculus from the gastrointestinal system of certain animals once believed to possess magical or medicinal properties. These were historically encased in protective gold cages.
- Medal Pendant
- A devotional or commemorative medallion fitted with a loop for suspension. French examples often feature religious iconography.
Gold Openwork Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gold openwork pendant?
A gold openwork pendant is a decorative item of jewellery featuring pierced or skeletal metal designs. These pieces often incorporate gemstones or serve as protective cases.
Peculiar forms include ball cages designed to hold specific objects like goa stones alongside standard pendant shapes.
How do I wear these pendants?
These pieces are suspended from chains to be worn around the neck as personal adornments. Their intricate metalwork makes them focal points of an outfit.
Matching the gold tone, such as rose or yellow gold, with your chain creates a cohesive appearance.
How old are these pendants?
The available items span from the Victorian era through the Edwardian period and into the 1920s. Each era brings distinct stylistic touches to the metalwork.
Maker details and gold purity marks often assist in determining the precise historical context of an individual piece.