We all love the exquisite workmanship of fine antique jewellery with gemstones, with so many periods – Elizabethan, Edwardian, Victorian and the French periods that introduced opulent luxury. As you would expect there is a diverse range of precious and semi-precious gemstones that were used in creating antique jewellery.
What Gemstones Were The Most Popular In Antique Jewellery?
Diamonds
The most popular precious stone of all is the diamond, and if you are looking at pre-Industrial Revolution, the stones would have been ‘mine cut’, which means the diamonds were cut and polished by hand, which really does add to the charm. Due to the stone’s popularity, you can easily find some stunning antique diamond engagement rings in most reputable shops, which have a great selection of fine antique and vintage jewellery offered at fair prices. They are only a Google search away.
Opal
This unique semi-precious stone is actually the national stone of Australia and opals are found in rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. If you would like to view Art Deco jewellery that has fine opals that change colour in different light settings, you can check out Kalmar Antiques in Australia, as they have an extensive catalogue of such items, all at affordable prices.
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Rubies
The deep redness of the classic ruby was very popular during the reigns of King Louis XVI and his ancestors, who loved to display their enormous wealth using rubies. Antique jewellery that contains rubies can easily be located with an online search, and when you buy from an established dealer, you can be sure the item is genuine and fairly priced.
Emeralds
The green hues that emeralds cover afford the antique jeweller a stone that blends well with clear diamonds, something Louis XVI was passionate about, which means there are some fine examples of French period jewellery around.
Sapphires
The Art Deco period saw stunning blue sapphires being used to create fine jewellery in both the Edwardian and Victorian periods, and if you would like to view an extensive catalogue, all you have to do is contact an established dealer which you can find through a simple online search. Their website showcases an impressive collection, which you can view at your leisure.
Sapphires are one of our favourite gemstones as the exude pure opulence and style.
Aquamarine
Usually shades of green, this alluring semi-precious stone was very popular, as it was believed to offer the sea traveller protection, especially during the Art Deco era, which was a time for rich colour and bold geometric shapes. Tinges of blueish green were very common with costume jewellery of the 1920s and 30s, and the online antique dealer would have a good collection of jewellery made with aquamarine.
The above were the most popular precious and semi-precious stones, and with a lot of combinations, many colours can be found in one jewellery item. If, for example, your partner loves antique pieces, the above are some of the precious stones to consider to help you find that perfect brooch or necklace, for example. When you buy from a reputable dealer, they usually can tell you a lot of the history of any given item. This means you can explain to your loved one the history of the piece and she can use her imagination regarding what the piece has experienced over the many years of its life.
Are you looking to purchase a piece of gemstone jewellery? We’d love to hear about the style and gemstones you’re thinking about purchasing in the comments section below. As always, if you’ve found this article of any value we’d love for you to share across your social channels and with friends, family and beyond.
