About Estate Jewelry

About Estate Jewelry

Georgian
1714-1837

Common Themes:
Handmade, nature-inspired designs, birds
Large stones set in an elaborate rococo style
Bows

Popular metal and Stones:
Diamonds; rose cut, cushion, and brilliants
Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires, Pearls

Edwardian
1901-1915

Common Themes:
Delicate filigree, Milgraining
Bows, ribbons, tassels, wreaths and flower garlands
Stars & Crescents

Popular Metal and Stones:
Platinum, White Gold, Oxidized silver
Diamonds; Old Mine Cut, Old European Cut
Pearls, Amethyst, pale Sapphires, Aquamarines
Peridots (King Edward’s favorite stone), Demantoid Garnets

Victorian
Early Victorian Mid-Victorian Late Victorian
1837-1855 1856-1880 1885-1900
Romantic Jewelry Grand Jewelry Aesthetic jewelry

Common Themes:
Cameos, Buckles
Serpents (symbol of eternal love)
Bugs and animals
Hairwork, Mourning jewelry

Popular Metal & Stones:
Gold, Rose Gold, 9kt
Amethyst, Garnets, Citrine, Topaz
Cornelian, Turquoise, Bloodstone, Onyx

Art Nouveau
1895-1915

Common Themes:
mythical beasts, swans, peacocks, superb insects: butterflies, dragonflies
Graceful women; nymphs, mermaids
Sinuous & flowing lines, exotic flowers, Rene Lalique

Popular Metal & Stones:
Seed Pearls, Dog Tooth pearl, baroque pearls
Moonstone, Opal, Amethyst, Citrine and Peridot
Enamel; cloisonné, champlevé, basse-taille

Art Deco
1920’s-1930’s

Common Themes:
Sharp contrast to Art Nouveau
Geometric form, pyramids and stepped ziggurats
Panthers, Tigers, Mystery clocks
Egyptian influences; scarabs, amulets, face masks of King Tut
Long earrings, Diamond watches, Cocktail Rings

Popular Metal & Stones:
Diamonds; pave set, emerald cut, pentagon, trapezoid, triangle
Pearls, Emeralds, Sapphires and Rubies
Silver, Platinum, and White Gold
Onyx, Bakelite, Celluloid, Enamel, Amber, Jade

Arts & Craft
1894-1923

Common Themes:
Transitional between Art Nouveau and Art Deco
Natural objects done in abstract or symbolic line
Handmade

Popular Metal & Stones:
Cabochon stones, silver, enamel, Amber