Antique Edwardian jewelry is named for King Edward VII of Great Britain, who ruled from 1901 until 1910. Classic Edwardian necklaces, engagement rings, earrings and other jewelry are often overshadowed by the more popular style of the era, Art Nouveau, which is a shame. At its best, Edwardian jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron.
Edward introduced incredibly formal Buckingham Palace court presentations, balls and soirées, resulting in a huge demand for diamond jewels starting with his coronation in 1902. Dozens of tiaras and formal jewels in an updated 18th-century style were purchased from French jewelers Boucheron and Chaumet and from Russia’s Fabergé. The court jewelers Asprey, Garrard, Carrington and the newly opened London branch of Cartier were all overwhelmed with orders for sumptuous diamond jewelry to be worn at the king’s elaborate coronation.
During the Edwardian era, pearls were more valuable than diamonds. The pear-shaped pearl La Peregrina, for example, belonged to some of the most fabulous and strongest women in history and bounced among royal courts in Spain, France and Russia for several centuries. So while today the scale and clarity of a diamond ring matters, back then the size and quantity of your pearls was more important a declaration of wealth. And just as Victorian notions of propriety and femininity began to change after Queen Victoria died in 1901, jewelry design also evolved but there was some overlap with late Victorian styles.
Women of the Edwardian period sported bejeweled headpieces like tiaras and bandeaus with feathered aigrettes. Another popular piece of jewelry that is said to have been directly inspired by Queen Alexandra were colliers de chien, or dog collars — today's choker necklaces — which consisted of either a ribbon decorated with a brooch, a gemstone or several strands of pearls strung closely together.
Two major jewelry houses, Cartier and Boucheron, were founded in the mid-1850s, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthy considered them household names. The Cartier brand became even more desirable once the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Cartier took this title seriously and designed some of the most innovative jewelry of its day, since it was willing to experiment with new materials like platinum and because it was mindful of fashion trends. Filigree settings also became popular. This saw-piercing technique was decorative and at the same time created a sense of lightness.
Perhaps even more important than Cartier’s use of platinum was the founding of De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888. The discovery of new diamond mines made the stone more affordable and prompted the introduction of new gemstone cuts. It is not uncommon to see Edwardian jewels with baguette or briolette diamonds.
Find antique Edwardian rings, bracelets, watches and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Edwardian rose cut diamond platinum watch brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming Edwardian rose cut diamond watch brooch is a beautifully detailed antique piece from the 1910’s, combining function, elegance, and delicate sparkle. Set with 149 rose c...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Antique c1913 Rolex W&D 9K 375 Rose Gold Case & 9K Gold Bracelet Ladies' Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This sophisticated ladies’ timepiece is an antique Rolex watch from circa 1913, yet it’s in beautiful original condition & in great working order This exquisite timepiece featur...
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique c1915 Rolex W&D 9K 375 Rose Gold 28mm Hinged Round Case Ladies' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This sophisticated ladies’ timepiece is an antique Rolex watch from circa 1915, y...
Rose Gold
Antique Edwardian 1900s Shreve, Crump & Lox Co. and Patek Philippe Diamond Watch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with Marquise cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 0.80 carat, Old European and Single cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 1.20 carat,...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Fine & Rare Carillon Three Chime Minute Repeater 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
Located in Boston, MA
A fine and rare three chime minute repeater pocket watch. Playing the Carillon chime on three gongs using three hammers, this spectacular timepiece offers a unique twist on the tra...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. Lady's Platinum Wristwatch
Located in New York, NY
Platinum Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, for Tiffany & Co, circa 1924, is a fine Art Déco, platinum, diamonds and onyx rectangular,women's wristwatch with platinum and diamond mesh ba...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Tiffany & Company 1920s Ladies Platinum and Diamond Wrist Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Tiffany & Company retailed Platinum and Diamond Ladies Wrist Watch, 18 x 18 M.M. Cushion shape case with Hand Engraving work and single cut Diamonds set into the beze...
Diamond, Platinum
Tiffany & Co. blue enamel watch pendant necklace
Located in New York, NY
An Edwardian blue, guilloché, enamel watch pendant necklace with arabic numerals and filagreed hands in a white enamel surround, suspended from a sautoir chain with interspersed blue...
14k Gold, Enamel
Agassiz Geneva Antique ruby heart pocket watch pendant
By Agassiz
Located in New York, NY
An Edwardian gold pendant pocket watch featuring a hunter case and a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The verso inset w...
Ruby, 14k Gold
Belle Époque Solid Silver & Sky Blue Guilloché Enamel c1910 28mm Ladies' Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This Fine & Rare Belle Epoque circa 1910’s Ladies’ Wristwatch features: Hinged Case crafted in Solid Silver of unusually large (for that period) size measuring 28mm (not includ...
Silver, Enamel
Universal Lady's Rose Gold Wristwatch Retailed by Tiffany & Co circa 1940s
By Universal
Located in Stamford, CT
Universal Lady's Rose Gold Wristwatch Retailed by Tiffany & Co, circa 1940s 18k rose gold Length: 31.4mm Width: 19.4mm Case thickness: 8mm Dial: Silvered with gold tone marker...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe 5711 All Diamond Watch 18 Karat in Stock
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Patek Philippe Case Material: 18k White Gold Case Diameter: 40mm Crystal: Scratch resistant sapphire Bezel: Triple row of round shape Diamonds (aftermarket) Dial: All round sh...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex 2 Tone Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4575 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone Steel & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm ...
Ladies Art Deco Platinum Diamond Onyx Wrist Watch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Art Deco diamond and onyx watch head set in newer triple-strand band of onyx beads with diamond spacers. Watch head is platinum. Spacer...
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Platinum
18 Kt Gold Hunter Pocket Watch Triple Calendar Moon Phase Chrono Minute Repeater
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 Kt Pink Gold Hunter Pocket Watch Triple Calendar / Quantieme Moon Phase Chronograph Minute Repeater Weight : 138.1 Gram Extremely Solid ...
Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe "24" Ladies Steel and Diamond Quartz Wrist Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2010 Patek Philippe "24" Reference 4900 / 10A-001 Wrist watch, 30 x 25 M.M. 2 piece Stainless Steel case with Factory set Diamonds, Sapphire Crown, Quartz movement, Gray Dial w...
Diamond, Steel
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Platinum and Diamond Wrist Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Wrist Watch, 26 X 9 M.M. 2 Piece Platinum Case set with European cut Diamonds totaling 1 Carat, the case sides and back are fu...
Diamond, Platinum
A Rare Swiss Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s
By Unbranded
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare 18kt Rose Gold Open Faced Keywind Cylinder Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s. Dial: The elegant white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, outer minute track, and w...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Large Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Chronograph Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A large 18ct gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Chronograph Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890 . Dial: the excellent white enamel dial with Arabi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum White Gold Art Deco Diamond Wrist Watch
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
This stunning and very elegant oval 1920 Art Deco wrist watch features a platinum and Diamonds case along with the dial's stylized numerals. The white gold mesh band is smooth, sleek...
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Rolex Stainless Steel & Rose Gold Ladies Art Deco Watch circa 1957 Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 4389 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm ...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Ladies Art Deco Rare 14Kt Two-Tone Gold Bracelet Watch, circa 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 3285 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Two-Tone Yellow & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 25mm Len...
Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Rolex W&D Military WWI c1916 S/Silver Trench Rebberg Hinged Case 33mm Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This exceptionally rare and highly evocative First World War (WWI) period (c1916) wristwatch by Rolex is housed in a 925 Sterling Silver Hinged Case It’s a Trench Watch - an early wristwatch developed for military officers (by their practical demands) during the First World War, representing the transition from pocket watches to the wristwatches that transformed modern timekeeping. The timepiece is extremely rare (especially in such fine original condition) & proud to have ALL original parts (case, dial, movement, winder) The hinged 33mm CASE is performed in 925 Sterling Silver, bearing clear stamps & series of original hallmarks on inside: these include the W&D mark of Wilsdorf & Davis - the founding company behind Rolex, together with 0.935 and 925 silver fineness marks, Swiss assay stamps, the Rolex signature & number 707337. Case is completed by an original winder An elegant white porcelain DIAL features blued steel Breguet hands and “sunk” sub-dial subsidiary seconds Dial is adorned with hand-painted black & red (at 12) Roman Numerals Timepiece is powered by the manually wound MOVEMENT, signed Rolex & fitted with a high-quality Aegler "Rebberg" movement — a robust Swiss calibre that powered many of Rolex's finest trench watches Produced during the formative years of the Rolex brand under Wilsdorf & Davis, these early trench watches represent some of the company's earliest wristwatches and are seldom encountered in such original configuration. The combination of a fully hallmarked case, signed movement and cohesive originality places this example firmly within the upper tier of collectability for early Rolex wristwatches Such pieces appeal not only to horological collectors but also to military historians, bridging craftsmanship with historical narrative. In today’s market, well-preserved WWI Rolex trench watches...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Patek Philippe Edwardian 18k yellow gold pocket watch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exquisite Edwardian Patek Philippe pocket watch embodies timeless sophistication, crafted in 18k yellow gold with elegant manual movement and preserved in its original box.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vacheron & Constantin Geneve Pocket Watch Retailed by JE Caldwell 14 Karat Gold
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A distinguished Vacheron & Constantin pocket watch crafted in 14k gold. The round watch features a pristine white dial with elegant black numerals an...
14k Gold
Hamilton Railroad 21 Jewel Grade 940 in Locomotive Gold Filled Case
By Hamilton
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A classic Hamilton railroad pocket watch crafted in gold-filled. The round watch features a pristine wh...
Gold-filled
Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905, 49mm
By Elgin
Located in San Diego, CA
Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905, 49mm This vintage Elgin pocket watch, manufactured in 1905, has a diameter of 49mm and a thickness of 14mm. The...
Gold Plate
P Moser Pocket Watch Working Case Year 1910 Swiss Made 875 Silver
Located in San Diego, CA
P. Moser 875 silver pocket watch that has a 51mm case, 13.5mm thick, with a clean plastic crystal. The manual movement is working with serial number 176469. Overall, this pocket watc...
Silver
Antique Edwardian European Silver & Blue Enamel 28mm Ladies' Wristwatch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Of European provenance (possibly French), dating back to Edwardian era, circa 1900's The blue enamel & silver Case measures 28mm, completed by big solid winder; the finely detaile...
Silver, Enamel
Elgin Gold Plated Pocket Watch Year 1911 Working Jewel
By Elgin
Located in San Diego, CA
Elgin 1911 gold plated pocket watch with a 44mm case that is 11mm thick and a clean plastic crystal accented with a beautiful floral design. ...
Gold Plate
P Moser Pocket Watch Working Case Year 1910 Swiss Made 875 Silver
Located in San Diego, CA
P. Moser 875 silver pocket watch that has a 51mm case, 13.5mm thick, with a clean plastic crystal. The manual movement is working with serial number 176469....
Silver
Waltham Railroad Pocket Watch Year 1905 Heavy Ore Silver Working #14391483
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1905 Waltham railroad grade pocket watch that has a 55mm Fahy case that is ore silver, 21mm thick, screwback with very clean thick glass cryst...
Silver
Waltham Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working #16360616 15 Jewels Os Size
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Waltham pocket watch that was made in 1907. The Fahy's case is gold plated, 35mm, and very good condition. The movement is working, 15 jewels, with se...
Gold Plate
Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905
By Elgin
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1905 gold plated Elgin pocket watch that's 49mm in diameter and 14mm thick. The case is in good condition with a clean plastic crystal. The ...
Gold Plate