Turquoise and Pearl Drop
These turquoise and pearl drop pieces combine bright blue stones and lustrous pearls in gold and silver settings, offering classic period charm for any collector.
Turquoise and Pearl Drop
A turquoise and pearl drop brings together vibrant robin egg blue stones and delicate pearls across various historical periods, most frequently appearing in Victorian and Edwardian examples. You will encounter these designs across earrings, pendants, necklaces, and brooches that incorporate dangling elements.
The pieces on offer span the Victorian era, the Edwardian period, and the Arts and Crafts movement, alongside select items from around 1900 and 1930. Forms range from simple flower drops and horseshoe earrings to elaborate parures and pendant necklaces.
Victorian and Edwardian items dominate the selection, often utilising 9ct or 15ct gold alongside silver settings. Buyers searching this phrase will find a strong representation of floral motifs, bows, hearts, and geometric period arrangements.
Materials and construction
Maker construction relies heavily on combinations of gold, silver, turquoise, and pearls, often employing seed pearls alongside larger pearls and blister pearls. Enamel work also appears within Arts and Crafts pieces to add contrasting colour to the metal framework.
Goldsmiths utilised 9ct and 15ct gold to fabricate secure settings that hold small turquoise cabochons and delicate pearls in close proximity. Drop mechanisms and tassel elements required precise articulation to allow movement without compromising the security of the stones.
Listings feature gold, silver, enamel, turquoise, and pearls across Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts styles.
Assessing quality
Quality rests upon the uniformity and colour matching of the turquoise stones and the lustre of the pearls used within the drop design. Higher grades show consistent hue across the turquoise cabochons paired with well-matched pearls free from major surface blemishes.
The refinement of the metalwork, whether executed in silver or higher carat golds like 15ct, dictates the overall calibre of the piece. Expert setting of small seed pearls and clean enamel application indicate superior workshop standards.
Murrle Bennett·Liberty and Co
The Turquoise and Pearl Drop Glossary
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth, convex surface rather than faceted. This cut suits opaque stones like turquoise by highlighting their natural colour.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often pierced and threaded or glued in groups. These tiny pearls form delicate borders and accents in period jewellery.
- Parure
- A matching set of jewellery designed to be worn together, typically including earrings, a necklace or pendant, and a brooch. Complete sets are particularly sought after by collectors.
- Blister pearl
- A pearl that has grown attached to the inside shell of an oyster, resulting in a dome shape with a hollow or flat back. These feature prominently in Arts and Crafts designs.
- Drop
- A pendant element that hangs loosely from a main body of jewellery, such as an earring or necklace. This component introduces movement and catches the light.
Turquoise and Pearl Drop: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these pieces date from?
The selection spans several distinct eras, with a heavy concentration of Victorian and Edwardian examples. You will also find items originating around 1900, during the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as occasional pieces from 1930.
Each period brings its own characteristic metals and motifs, ranging from high-carat gold Victorian tassel earrings to silver and enamel Arts and Crafts pendants.
How do I care for turquoise jewellery?
Turquoise is a relatively soft and porous gemstone that absorbs oils, cosmetics, and water easily. Clean your pieces gently with a soft, dry cloth and avoid harsh chemical dips or ultrasonic cleaners.
Store them away from direct sunlight and cosmetics to preserve the original blue colour and prevent the stone from shifting in tone or drying out.
What is an Arts and Crafts drop?
An Arts and Crafts drop reflects the philosophy of handcraftsmanship and design integrity that emerged in the late nineteenth century. These pieces often feature hammered silver, coloured enamel, and blister pearls rather than mass-produced factory settings.
Makers working in this style emphasised natural materials and distinctive artistic expression over sheer gemstone value.
Are seed pearls fragile?
Seed pearls require careful handling because of their diminutive size and the delicate methods used to secure them in historical settings. Many are held by tiny prongs or mounted on fine wire work that can weaken with rough treatment.
Wear these items with mindfulness, avoiding impacts and moisture exposure to keep the pearls secure within their gold or silver mounts.