Pearl Gold Medallion
A pearl gold medallion brings together lustrous organic gems and rich metalwork in wearable pieces from the Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century eras.
Pearl Gold Medallion
The selections span distinct historical aesthetics, including Victorian, Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque and Art Deco designs. These pieces often feature sacred imagery or botanical motifs rendered in yellow, white or rose gold.
Materials and construction methods
Goldsmiths utilised fifteen-carat and eighteen-carat gold alongside precious components such as seed pearls, diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. Enamel work, including translucent plique-a-jour, frequently adds vibrant colour to the metal frames.
Mother of pearl serves as a primary background material for carved or painted devotional subjects, often edged with twisted wire frames or set within intricate bezels.
Materials recorded across the current inventory include enamel, mother of pearl, seed pearls, diamonds and high-carat gold.
Distinctions in craftsmanship and materials
The refinement of the metalwork and the delicacy of the enamel separate finer examples from standard work. Intricate plique-a-jour cells and precise twisted wire framing demonstrate superior artisanal skill.
The uniformity and lustre of the pearls, alongside the depth and clarity of any secondary gemstones like peridots or diamonds, determine the overall quality of the pendant.
The Pearl Gold Medallion Glossary
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where the enamel is applied without a backing, resembling miniature stained glass. This method allows light to pass through the transparent coloured glass cells.
- Seed pearl
- Very small natural pearls, often pierced and threaded or bead-set into clusters. They were widely used in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery for delicate floral and geometric patterns.
- Mother of pearl
- The iridescent inner layer of mollusc shells, carved or polished for use as a decorative plaque. It provides a shimmering ground for painted or applied religious iconography.
- Locket
- A hinged pendant designed to hold miniature portraits, locks of hair or small mementos. These pieces combine decorative fronts with functional inner compartments.
Pearl Gold Medallion: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for my pendant?
Clean these delicate pieces gently with a soft, dry cloth to protect the pearls and enamel from harsh chemicals. Avoid submerging mother of pearl or seed pearls in water.
Store each pendant individually in a lined box to prevent scratching against other items in your collection.
Are these pieces suitable for daily wear?
Historic pendants require mindful handling, particularly items featuring seed pearls and delicate enamel work. Reserve them for occasional wear to preserve their fragile components.
Ensure you secure the clasp or chain firmly before wearing your pendant out.
How can I date my medallion?
Examine the metal purity hallmarks, gemstone cuts and stylistic markers such as Art Nouveau curves or Victorian proportions. French pieces often bear specific control marks on the external jump rings or bezels.
Compare the subject matter, such as devotional figures or floral motifs, against known production periods in the evidence.
What is plique-a-jour enamel?
Plique-a-jour is a translucent enamel technique that lacks a solid backing, creating a stained-glass effect when light shines through. It requires exceptional skill from the metalsmith to suspend the enamel within open gold wire cells.
This method appears frequently in fine Edwardian and Belle Epoque pieces.