Design & Historical Context |
Edwardian jewelry refers to the jewelry produced during the reign of King Edward VII, who ruled Great Britain from 1901 to 1910. During this time, jewelry design was influenced by a variety of styles and movements, including Art Nouveau, the Arts and Crafts movement, and the Belle Époque.
Edwardian jewelry is characterized by its delicate and intricate detailing, use of precious materials such as gold and diamonds, and incorporation of motifs such as flowers, animals, and nature scenes. The style was also influenced by the Industrial Revolution, which made mass production of jewelry possible, and as a result, Edwardian jewelry often featured machine-made elements such as gold filigree and enamel work.
One of the most famous designers of Edwardian jewelry was the English jeweler, Charles Lewis Tiffany. Tiffany was known for his use of platinum and diamonds, as well as his incorporation of colorful gemstones such as sapphires and rubies. Another prominent Edwardian jeweler was the French firm, Cartier, which produced a range of Edwardian pieces using gold, diamonds, and other precious materials.
Edwardian jewelry remains popular and is highly collectible to this day. It is often associated with the elegance and refinement of the time period, and is often seen as a symbol of wealth and sophistication.
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Materials & Craftsmanship |
Sapphire
Sapphire is a mineral made from aluminum oxide that is known for its beautiful colors, including blue, pink, yellow, green, purple, and orange.
The most popular variety of sapphire is blue sapphire, which has a medium to deep blue color and strong saturation. Blue sapphire is typically the most popular and most affordable of the three major precious gemstones (emerald, ruby, and sapphire) and is often used in a variety of different types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Fancy sapphires, which are available in a variety of different colors, are often more rare and expensive than blue sapphires and are prized for their unique and beautiful colors.
Sapphire is a very hard and durable gemstone, with a Mohs hardness of 9 out of 10, which makes it resistant to scratches and other types of damage. It is also believed to have various healing properties and is sometimes used in traditional medicine and meditation practices.
Old-european-cut diamond
The old European cut is a type of diamond cut that was popular in the 1800s and was used mostly during the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Nouveau eras. It is the predecessor of today's modern round brilliant cut and is characterized by a circular girdle, a high crown, a small table, and a large, flat culet. Old European cut diamonds have 58 facets, which are small, flat surfaces that are cut into the diamond to create a specific shape and enhance its sparkle and brilliance.
Old European cut diamonds are known for their antique charm and character, and they are often used in vintage-style jewelry. They have a softer, more romantic look than modern diamond cuts, which tend to have more precise geometry and a higher level of brilliance.
Old European cut diamonds are typically less expensive than diamonds with more modern cuts because they require less labor and material to produce. They are often used as accent stones in jewelry designs or as the main gemstone in vintage-style pieces. Despite their lower price, old European cut diamonds can still be beautiful and valuable, and they are a popular choice for those who appreciate the unique charm and character of antique jewelry.
18k
18k gold is a type of gold alloy that is commonly used in jewelry making. It is made up of 75% gold and 25% other metals, such as copper, silver, or palladium. The addition of other metals helps to increase the durability and strength of the gold, making it more suitable for use in jewelry. 18k gold is softer and more prone to scratching than higher karat golds, such as 22k or 24k, but it is still a popular choice for jewelry because of its warm, yellow color and good resistance to tarnishing. It is also less expensive than higher karat golds due to the smaller amount of gold used in the alloy. 18k gold is a popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other fine jewelry items.
Platinum
Platinum is a white metallic element that is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to tarnish and corrosion. It belongs to a group of elements called the platinum group metals, which also includes osmium, iridium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium.
Platinum is often found in nature as an alloy, which is a mixture of two or more elements. It can be mixed with other platinum group metals or with other elements such as copper, nickel, or cobalt. It wasn't until 1804 that all of the elements in the platinum group were isolated and named, with the exception of osmium, which was not isolated until 1841.
Platinum is a highly prized metal that is often used in the manufacture of fine jewelry. It is malleable, meaning that it can be easily molded and shaped, and it is ductile, meaning that it can be drawn into thin wires or sheets. It is also very strong, which makes it suitable for use in a wide range of applications.
Platinum is named after the Spanish word "platina," which means "little silver." It is thought to have been named this because of its white metallic luster, which is similar to that of silver. Platinum was first discovered by the Spanish conquistadors in South America, near the Pinto River in present-day Columbia.
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