Gold Tourmaline Jewellery
Gold tourmaline jewellery brings together rich multi-coloured stones and precious metals, offering collectors striking Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century designs.
Gold Tourmaline Jewellery
When you search for gold tourmaline jewellery, you encounter rings, pendants, necklaces, brooches and earrings spanning the Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century periods. These pieces combine vibrant tourmaline stones with yellow, rose and white gold settings, often accented by pearls and diamonds.
The Edwardian pieces on this page frequently feature delicate drop pendants and cluster work, while Victorian examples lean towards substantial brooches and rings. Mid-century items introduce bolder cocktail rings and carved stones set into both yellow and white gold.
Origins range from classic British stylistic periods to Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts designs, and mid-century French workshops. Buyers will find that pink and green tourmalines dominate the selection, frequently paired with seed pearls or old cut diamonds.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised 9ct, 15ct and 18ct gold to construct these settings, incorporating platinum in later Art Deco pieces. Stones are secured in claw settings, bezels or delicate cluster arrangements designed to maximise light transmission through the crystals.
Gems such as pink tourmalines, green tourmalines and diamonds are combined with natural pearls and seed pearls. Construction methods include hinged drops, screwback fittings and intricate wirework typical of the Arts and Crafts and Edwardian eras.
Gold Tourmaline Jewellery Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold tourmaline 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.
Object forms include screwback earrings, hinged drop earrings, lavaliers, cocktail rings and multi-strand pearl necklaces.
What varies in quality
Quality in gold tourmaline jewellery depends heavily on the saturation and cut of the tourmaline crystals, alongside the fineness of the gold used in the mount. Higher-end pieces employ higher carat gold, such as 15ct or 18ct, and incorporate superior diamond accents.
Design complexity and maker attribution also set pieces apart, moving from standard commercial production to marked pieces by notable firms. The integration of supplementary stones like natural pearls and peridots elevates the overall craftsmanship of a ring or pendant.
Liberty & Co·Chaumet
The Gold Tourmaline Jewellery Glossary
- Tourmaline
- A gemstone occurring in a wide spectrum of colours, frequently seen in pink and green varieties within antique settings. It displays strong pleochroism, meaning the colour shifts depending on the viewing angle.
- Lavalier
- A pendant featuring a stone suspended from a necklace, popular during the Edwardian period and often set with tourmalines and pearls. These pieces hang with a gentle movement.
- Cluster ring
- A ring design featuring a central gemstone surrounded by a border of smaller stones, such as diamonds or seed pearls. This arrangement was favoured by Victorian and Edwardian jewellers.
- Suffragette jewellery
- Pieces created using the colours green, white and violet to symbolise the women's suffrage movement, frequently incorporating peridots, pearls and pink tourmalines. These carry distinct historical significance.
- Old cut diamond
- A precursor to the modern brilliant cut, characterised by a smaller table, higher crown and larger culet. These stones are typical of Victorian and Edwardian mounts.
Gold Tourmaline Jewellery: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for antique tourmaline jewellery?
Tourmalines have a moderate hardness, so store them separately from harder gems like diamonds to prevent scratching. Clean them gently with warm soapy water rather than ultrasonic machines.
Avoid exposing antique pearl and gold settings to harsh chemicals, perfumes or prolonged direct sunlight. Regular checks by a jeweller will ensure the claw and bezel settings remain secure.
How can I tell an Edwardian tourmaline piece apart from a Victorian one?
Edwardian items tend to use lighter, more lace-like gold or platinum wirework, often featuring white sapphires and pink tourmalines in delicate drop pendants. Victorian pieces generally employ heavier 15ct yellow gold mounts with substantial cluster configurations.
Victorian designs frequently favour brooches, clover motifs and hinged drops, whereas Edwardian pieces lean towards garland styles and lavaliers. Examining the carat mark and construction style helps confirm the period.
What is a carved tourmaline horse head?
A carved tourmaline horse head is a decorative gemstone sculpted into an animal form, seen in mid-century French jewellery designs. These carved elements are integrated into necklaces alongside pearls and diamonds.
Such pieces represent a shift towards sculptural, figurative elements in mid-century luxury production. They demonstrate high levels of lapidary skill applied to coloured stones.
Can I wear a tourmaline ring every day?
Tourmaline is suitable for daily wear if treated with care, though rings require more attention than necklaces or brooches due to hand impacts. Opting for bezel settings offers better stone protection than high claw settings.
Consider removing tourmaline rings when engaging in manual work or sports. Periodic inspection of the gold prongs ensures the gemstone stays firmly in place.