Vintage Purple Gemstone Necklace
A vintage purple gemstone necklace brings together deep purple quartz and historic gold or silver work.
Vintage Purple Gemstone Necklace
A vintage purple gemstone necklace centres on amethyst, appearing in formats ranging from simple gold chains and heart pendants to elaborate lavalier and festoon designs. The most common pieces encountered on this page belong to the Edwardian period and Victorian eras, often combining purple stones with pearls in yellow gold settings.
Makers utilised various carats of gold, alongside silver, to mount stones in styles spanning Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and mid-century modernism. Pendant necklaces and drops dominate the selection, showing foliate motifs, geometric clusters, and delicate chain work from the late nineteenth century through to the 1960s.
Materials and Technique
Goldsmiths and silversmiths worked primarily in 9ct, 14ct, and 15ct yellow gold, or silver, to mount amethysts alongside seed pearls, diamonds, and occasional tourmalines or citrines. Settings employ traditional claw mounts, closed backs in earlier pieces, and fine wirework characteristic of Edwardian lavaliers.
Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts examples display hand-beaten silver, organic whiplash curves, and bezel-set stones, whereas later mid-century iterations favour clean clusters and structured geometric drops.
Several antique pieces incorporate winged insect motifs, turning tiny gold flies into delicate pendant charms.
Craftsmanship and Proportion
Quality rests upon the depth of colour and cut of the central amethyst, balanced against the delicacy of the surrounding gold or silver filigree. Superior examples maintain intact seed pearl settings, secure pendant articulation, and well-balanced proportions between the stone and its chain.
S. Blanckensee & Son
The Vintage Purple Gemstone Necklace Glossary
- Lavalier
- A pendant necklace featuring a central gemstone with smaller stones or drops suspended below it. This style gained popularity during the Edwardian period.
- Seed Pearl
- A very small, naturally formed pearl, often half-drilled and glued or pegged onto gold settings in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery.
- Festoon
- A necklace style featuring draped chains, swags of metal, or suspended drops that sit across the collarbone.
- Claw Mount
- A type of stone setting where metal prongs hold the gemstone in place, allowing maximum light to enter the stone.
- Paste
- Hand-cut and polished lead glass used as a gemstone substitute in historic jewellery.
Vintage Purple Gemstone Necklace: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these purple gemstone necklaces come from?
The pieces span from the late nineteenth century through the Edwardian and Victorian eras into the mid-twentieth century.
Victorian and Edwardian items make up a significant portion, alongside later 1950s and 1960s designs.
Are the stones natural amethysts?
Most pieces feature natural amethyst, though occasional items utilise amethyst paste.
Gold carats range primarily through 9ct, 14ct, 15ct, and 18ct, alongside sterling silver.
How do I style a lavalier necklace?
Lavalier necklaces feature dangling drops that pair well with open necklines and period-inspired attire.
Their delicate chain work and central pendant design suit evening wear or simple daytime outfits.
What is the difference between Edwardian and Victorian styles?
Victorian pieces often display heavier gold work, deep amethyst heart clusters, and substantial drop fringes.
Edwardian designs tend toward lighter seed pearl combinations, lavaliers, and intricate filigree.