Vintage Peridot Pendant
These vintage peridot pendant pieces bring together golden olivine stones and delicate seed pearls in Edwardian and Victorian designs.
Vintage Peridot Pendant
When you search for a vintage peridot pendant, you encounter delicate neckwear dominated by Edwardian and Victorian examples. These pieces typically feature pale green peridot stones mounted in gold, often accented with seed pearls.
The selections available here lean heavily into Edwardian, Victorian, and Arts and Crafts styles. You will find drop pendants, lavalieres, and convertible brooch-pendant hybrids created during the early twentieth century and late nineteenth century.
Many of these jewels utilise lower and higher karat golds, ranging from nine carat to fifteen carat settings. The stones themselves display the characteristic soft olive hue prized by makers of the period.
How they were made
The construction of a vintage peridot pendant relies upon traditional goldsmithing techniques from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Artisans set peridot and seed pearls into nine carat and fifteen carat gold mounts, occasionally incorporating platinum elements.
Garland and Art Nouveau styles dictate much of the metalwork, showing intricate wirework and delicate collet settings. Seed pearls are typically threaded or pegged securely to complement the central peridot stones.
Listings span the Victorian era, the Edwardian period, and the nineteen fifties, utilising nine carat gold, fifteen carat gold, and peridot.
What varies in quality
Quality in these pendants rests upon the crispness of the gold wirework and the matching of the peridot stones. Finer examples show careful attention to stone colour and secure pearl setting.
Maker attribution and the complexity of the gold mount also set pieces apart. Pieces bearing maker marks or incorporating higher carat gold settings sit at the upper end of the range.
Murrle Bennett
The Vintage Peridot Pendant Glossary
- Peridot
- A transparent green gemstone of the olivine group, known for its distinctive olive-green colour in antique jewellery.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, commonly used in Edwardian and Victorian cluster and garland designs.
- Lavalier
- A pendant style featuring a central gemstone with one or more suspended drops hanging below.
- Edwardian
- A period of jewellery design spanning the reign of King Edward VII, characterised by light garland motifs and platinum settings.
Vintage Peridot Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vintage peridot pendant?
A vintage peridot pendant is a necklace ornament featuring the green olivine gemstone, typically mounted in gold and dating from the Victorian or Edwardian eras.
These pieces often incorporate seed pearls and delicate wirework typical of early twentieth-century workshops.
How do I care for my peridot pendant?
Peridot is a relatively soft gemstone that requires gentle cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and ultrasonic baths.
Store the pendant separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching the gold and the peridot.
Are these pendants marked with gold hallmarks?
Many Edwardian and Victorian pieces carry partial or complete hallmarks indicating the gold purity, such as nine carat or fifteen carat. Some smaller items may show signs of wear on the stamp over time.
Assay marks help confirm the period and material composition of the gold mount.
What makes an Edwardian peridot pendant distinct?
Edwardian pendants are defined by light, airy garland motifs, symmetrical wirework, and the combination of peridot with seed pearls. They reflect the delicate aesthetic prevalent around nineteen hundred.
Platinum was also introduced during this era, adding strength to intricate settings.