Feature
Gems & Gemology, Fall 1993, Vol. 29, No. 3
Jewels of the Edwardians
Elise B. Misiorowski and Nancy K. Hays
Although the reign of King Edward VII of Great Britain was relatively short (1902-1910), the age that bears his name produced distinctive jewelry and ushered in several new designs and manufacturing techniques. During this period, women from the uppermost echelons of society wore a profusion of extravagant jewelry as a way of demonstrating their wealth and rank. The almost exclusive use of platinum, the greater use of pearls, and the steady supply of South African diamonds created a combination that will forever characterize Edwardian jewels. The Edwardian age, truly the last era of the ruling classes, ended dramatically with the onset of World War I.
