An Edwardian Diamond and Pearl Tiara

An Edwardian silver on gold tiara set with a natural pearl at the centre and old cut diamonds in a delicate scrolling design. Natural pearl = 12.20 chow, accompanied by a GCS certificate.

The Edwardian period has been named after the fun loving ‘Bertie’, King Edward VII of England. During the short, and long-awaited, reign of Queen Victoria’s eldest son Bertie, ‘La Belle Epoque’ produced a spectacular array of jewellery. Jewellery makers were fuelled by Queen Alexandra’s (1844-1925) trendsetting love of extravagant jewels.

During the Edwardian period the new influx of diamonds into the jewellery trade caused a rise in the value of natural pearls. Pearls feature heavily in Belle Époque jewellery as their luminosity mimicked the ideal creamy glow of women’s skin. Fashion of this period in England particularly, held a nostalgic view of the 17th century court of Versailles. Large bustles, impossibly slim waists and swept up hair all refereed back to the clothes of Marie Antoinette’s court. 1910 saw the introduction of low necklines and tight hour-glass silhouettes in fashion provided an open surface for chokers of multiple-strands of pearls paired with long sautoirs and ornate stomachers. The ‘Belle Epoque’ cultivated an image of feminine beauty.

See more Edwardian jewellery here.