Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace
A gold turquoise pendant necklace brings together warm metal and vibrant blue stones in designs spanning the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Nouveau eras.
Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace
A gold turquoise pendant necklace combines precious metalwork with turquoise cabochons, often paired with seed pearls, diamonds, or silver accents. These pieces appear frequently in Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts designs.
The forms range from star motifs and cross pendants to intricate negligee necklaces and convertible pendant brooches. Buyers encounter various carats of yellow and rose gold alongside early silver-topped settings.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised 9ct, 15ct, and 18ct gold, sometimes combining rose and yellow hues or mounting stones in silver over gold. Natural turquoise and matrix turquoise were shaped into cabochons and set alongside seed pearls and rose cut diamonds.
Craftsmen applied techniques spanning Etruscan revival granulation, Art Nouveau flowing lines, and Arts and Crafts hand-beaten textures. Many items were constructed to function as both pendants and brooches.
Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold turquoise pendant necklace 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.
Dove earrings and pendant sets let you wear an entire flock of Victorian birds around your neck and ears.
What varies in quality
Quality depends on the weight and purity of the gold, ranging from standard 9ct to higher 15ct and 18ct compositions. The complexity of the metalwork, such as fine wirework or multi-stone gem sets, distinguishes finer pieces.
The calibre of the materials also dictates the tier, particularly the uniformity and colour of the turquoise, the presence of matching seed pearls, and the inclusion of accent diamonds.
Deakin and Francis·Murrle Bennett·Dorrie Nossiter
The Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace Glossary
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth, rounded surface rather than faceted. This cut displays the natural colour and matrix of the turquoise.
- Negligee necklace
- A pendant style featuring asymmetrical drops suspended on fine chains, popular during the Edwardian period. This design creates a delicate, cascading effect.
- Seed pearl
- A very small, naturally small pearl, often half-drilled and glued or pegged into antique jewellery. They frequently accent turquoise clusters and star motifs.
- Etruscan revival
- A Victorian design style inspired by ancient archaeological discoveries, utilising fine gold wirework and granulation. Goldsmiths replicated classical Mediterranean ornamentation.
- Matrix turquoise
- Turquoise that still contains portions of the host rock, creating webbed or patterned brown and black veining through the blue stone.
Gold Turquoise Pendant Necklace: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these necklaces come from?
These pieces originate primarily from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, with examples extending into the Arts and Crafts movement and the 1930s. Makers utilised distinct stylistic markers from each decade.
Victorian pieces often feature robust gold work, star motifs, and Etruscan designs, while Edwardian and Arts and Crafts items showcase lighter settings and flowing organic lines.
Are the chains original to the pendants?
Many listings include period chains, sometimes matching the metal carat and design of the pendant itself. Clasp sets and chain links often share the same era.
Buyers should examine specific descriptions, as some pendants are sold individually or paired with later compatible chains for modern wear.
Can these pendants also be worn as brooches?
Several Victorian and Edwardian examples function as both pendants and brooches. These convertible pieces feature integrated pin stems and safety catches on the reverse.
This dual functionality was common in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, allowing owners to pin the jewel to garments or suspend it from a chain.
What other gems accompany the turquoise?
Seed pearls are the most frequent companion to turquoise, appearing in halos, crosses, and floral clusters. Diamonds and blue topaz also occur in specific settings.
Silver is occasionally combined with gold in older pieces to enhance the sparkle of rose cut diamonds set above the turquoise.