Vintage Purple Gemstone Jewellery
Vintage purple gemstone jewellery brings together amethyst, lavender jade and blue john across Edwardian, Art Nouveau and mid-century forms.
Vintage Purple Gemstone Jewellery
Vintage purple gemstone jewellery spans rings, drop earrings, pendants, necklaces and brooches set primarily with amethyst alongside pearls and diamonds. Pieces originate from the Edwardian era, the Art Deco period and mid-century decades, reflecting shifting tastes in goldsmithing and silverwork.
Edwardian and Art Nouveau examples frequently pair pale or deep purple stones with seed pearls in delicate gold frames or lavalier drops. Mid-century items lean toward bold cocktail rings, silver bangles and substantial cluster designs carrying large step-cut or cabochon gems.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised nine carat, fifteen carat and eighteen carat yellow gold, alongside silver and platinum, to mount stones using claw settings, bezel mounts and openwork wire frameworks. Seed pearls are typically split and glued or pegged onto delicate gold backing plates.
Gemstones appear in diverse cuts, ranging from old cut diamonds and step-cut amethysts to smooth cabochons and carved lavender jade. Metal components combine cast elements with hand-assembled wirework and soldered decorative motifs.
Vintage Purple Gemstone Jewellery Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage purple gemstone 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.
An insect fly charm pendant brings a tiny winged creature into the collection.
What varies in quality
Quality rests on the depth of colour and clarity of the central purple stone, alongside the weight and purity of the surrounding gold or silver. Heavier mounts and intricate openwork metal execution elevate the standard of a piece above simpler mass-produced alternatives.
The precision of stone setting and the integrity of delicate seed pearl arrangements distinguish finer workshops from standard production. Maker signatures and clear hallmarks provide additional markers of origin and material standard.
N E From·Vivianna Torun Bulow Hube·Murrle Bennett·S Blanckensee & Son
The Vintage Purple Gemstone Jewellery Glossary
- Amethyst
- A purple variety of quartz prized for its violet hue, frequently utilised in antique rings and pendants.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often drilled and mounted in clusters around central gemstones during the Edwardian period.
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth convex surface rather than faceted edges.
- Lavalier
- A pendant necklace featuring a suspended gemstone or drop hanging below a central decorative motif.
Vintage Purple Gemstone Jewellery: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lavalier necklace?
A lavalier is a drop necklace style that places a swinging gemstone or pendant beneath a decorative central station.
This format gained popularity during the Edwardian and Art Nouveau periods, frequently pairing amethysts with pearls.
Are mid-century cocktail rings heavy?
Mid-century cocktail rings often utilise substantial gold or silver settings to anchor large emerald-cut or cabochon amethysts.
These pieces prioritise bold visual weight and prominent stone sizes compared to earlier delicate Edwardian designs.
How should I care for antique amethyst jewellery?
Amethyst is a durable quartz, but antique seed pearls and delicate claw settings require careful handling and gentle cleaning.
Store pieces individually to prevent scratching the gold surfaces and avoid ultrasonic cleaners when pearls are present.