Vintage Turquoise Pendant
These vintage turquoise pendant designs span multiple eras, offering bright colour and distinct historical character.
Vintage Turquoise Pendant
A vintage turquoise pendant brings together vibrant blue stones and period metalwork, drawing on Victorian, Edwardian, and later design movements. These pieces range from delicate gold necklaces set with seed pearls to silver Arts and Crafts creations.
Buyers frequently encounter Edwardian and Victorian examples on this page, often pairing matrix turquoise with yellow or rose gold. Formats extend beyond simple drops to include lockets, charms, and multi-stone necklaces.
Construction and materials
Metals span silver, 9ct gold, and 9ct rose gold, providing solid backdrops for the mounted stones. Makers often combined turquoise with pearls, enamel, and diamonds to add texture and contrast.
Craftsmen utilised hand-setting techniques to secure the turquoise matrix stones into intricate bezels and prongs. Enamelling and fine wirework frequently appeared in Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau items.
Listings feature silver, 9ct gold, and 9ct rose gold alongside turquoise, pearls, and enamel across Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Judging quality in these pieces
The finesse of the metalwork and the stability of the stone setting dictate the upper tier of quality. Superior items display careful hand-finishing, intact enamel, and well-matched turquoise stones.
Lower-tier examples show more standard mass production with simpler mountings and less distinction in design. The integration of supporting gems like pearls or diamonds further elevates a piece.
Deakin & Francis·The Gaskins·Henry Matthews·Liberty & Co
The Vintage Turquoise Pendant Glossary
- Turquoise
- A hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium valued for its distinct robin's-egg blue or greenish-blue hue. It appears frequently in nineteenth and twentieth-century jewellery.
- Negligee necklace
- A pendant style featuring a vertical drop with two unequal dangling components suspended from a central motif. It gained popularity during the Edwardian era.
- Guilloche enamel
- A decorative technique where a geometric pattern is engraved beneath a translucent layer of enamel. It appears on compacts and pendants from the early twentieth century.
- Parure
- A matched set of jewellery designed to be worn together, such as earrings, a ring, and a necklace. These complete suites are particularly sought after by collectors.
Vintage Turquoise Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these pendants come from?
The selections span the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, alongside pieces from the early twentieth century.
Victorian and Edwardian items often feature rose gold and pearls, while later decades introduce guilloche enamel and distinct silver motifs.
How do I care for turquoise jewellery?
Turquoise is a softer stone that absorbs oils, cosmetics, and water easily, requiring gentle cleaning with a dry cloth.
Avoid submerging these pendants in liquid or exposing them to harsh chemicals to preserve the natural blue colour.
What is matrix turquoise?
Matrix turquoise contains remnants of the surrounding rock, creating dark web-like patterns across the blue surface.
This natural variation became highly desirable during the Arts and Crafts movement for its organic appearance.
Are chains usually original to the pendant?
Many pendants survive without their original chains, meaning replacements are often added later to suit modern wear.
Descriptions note when a chain is included or if the piece functions as a pendant charm or brooch combination.