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(you can click the pictures to get to their descriptive pages)
The Georgian period spans more or less the reign of the four successive English kings George I, George II, George III and George IV between 1714 and 1830.
Georgian jewelry is rather rare as when time passed most worn out, was melted or taken apart and re-used for more modern designs. Materials like gold, silver and diamonds were very scarce and expensive and little consideration for fine craftmanship was taken with the "old stuff" when the owners wanted to wear their gold and diamonds according to the latest fashion in jewelry.
Most Georgian Jewelry available is from the later dates characterized by highly dimensional repousse. Floral and scroll motifs are typical of the period and the most common stones used are garnets, precious topaz, coral and early faceted diamonds set in silver.
During most of the 18th century, diamonds were set in closed silver-settings, a technique used because jewelers of that time believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a precious stone. They were also aware of the fact that silver jewelry often left black stains on clothing or skin, so they resolved the matter by coating the backs of the jewels in gold. Jewelry was custom designed to suit the diamonds that were available. Stones were never specially cut for the pieces. The most common cuts used in Georgian designs were rose-cuts and table-cuts.
Georgian jewelry is rather rare as when time passed most worn out, was melted or taken apart and re-used for more modern designs. Materials like gold, silver and diamonds were very scarce and expensive and little consideration for fine craftmanship was taken with the "old stuff" when the owners wanted to wear their gold and diamonds according to the latest fashion in jewelry.
Most Georgian Jewelry available is from the later dates characterized by highly dimensional repousse. Floral and scroll motifs are typical of the period and the most common stones used are garnets, precious topaz, coral and early faceted diamonds set in silver.
During most of the 18th century, diamonds were set in closed silver-settings, a technique used because jewelers of that time believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a precious stone. They were also aware of the fact that silver jewelry often left black stains on clothing or skin, so they resolved the matter by coating the backs of the jewels in gold. Jewelry was custom designed to suit the diamonds that were available. Stones were never specially cut for the pieces. The most common cuts used in Georgian designs were rose-cuts and table-cuts.
 Georgian memory ring |  Georgian bracelet |  17th century cross |
See also our:
other (pre-) Georgian jewelry
our latest acquisitions
extensive antique jewelry glossary
antique jewelry style overview
other (pre-) Georgian jewelry
our latest acquisitions
extensive antique jewelry glossary
antique jewelry style overview
Antiqually yours,
The Adin team
www.adin.be
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