Belle Époque jewelry inspired custom jewelry pieceBelle Époque jewelry inspired custom jewelry piece

A Guide to Belle Époque Jewelry


Belle Époque jewelry combined opulent but graceful metalwork with a variety of gems. Learn more about this style and how it inspires modern jewelry makers.

3 Minute Read

The Belle Époque (1890-1915) encompassed three jewelry design periods: Art Nouveau, the Arts and Crafts movement, and Edwardian. The "Beautiful Era" was a time of increasing wealth and flourishing arts. When cinema boomed, movie stars, instead of European royalty, became trendsetters. As a result, Hollywood (and America) emerged as the ones to watch.
Belle Époque jewelry inspired custom jewelry piece
Although over a century old, Belle Époque style hasn't lost its appeal. This Belle Époque-inspired jewelry piece was a recent custom request for a wedding present. This multi-use, hand-fabricated platinum and diamond set features a 100 strand (over 10,000 piece) keshi pearl necklace. © J. Grahl Design. Used with permission.

Belle Époque jewelry included machine created as well as handcrafted pieces. However, the Arts and Crafts movement was a response against the use of machines. Thus, Arts and Crafts jewelry was all hand-fabricated. This design period was brief due to incredibly labor-intensive techniques, which made the jewelry too expensive.

Cultured pearls appeared on the scene and were often used in Belle Époque jewelry, in addition to natural freshwater and saltwater pearls.

Choker
Chokers, like this one, were popular fashion accessories in the Belle Époque period. The centerpiece consists of Old Mine-cut and rose-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.55 carats. The setting is crafted from silver over rose gold. A platinum and diamond clasp attaches the strands of cultured pearls that measure 13". Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Jewelry of the Art Nouveau Period (1895-1910)

Jewelry makers of the Art Nouveau period strived to capture the movement of nature in wearable works of art. The jewelry designs seemed to come straight from paintings or the natural environment.

Notable Characteristics of Art Nouveau Jewelry

Fluid lines and asymmetrical patterns were common motifs. Female forms and nature scenes, including flowers, insects, lizards, and snakes, often graced jewelry pieces from this period. Jewelry makers commonly used gold, silver, and platinum.

Art Nouveau Peacock Pin surrounded by 62 seed pearls
This Art Nouveau pin features multi-colored enameling on the peacock surrounded by 62 seed pearls. Accenting the pin is one 0.6 carat peridot and one 0.06 carat Old European-cut diamond. The pin was made by Krementz, a storied American jewelry company, which adds to its value. The pin is 18k yellow gold. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Enameling dominated Belle Époque jewelry of the Art Nouveau. Methods used included the following:

  • Plique-a-jour enameling (used extensively by Art Nouveau designer Rene Lalique) was similar to stained glass windows, with the enameling webbed between thin metal walls with no backing.
  • Cloisonné enameling had metal walls and a backing to contain the enameling.
  • Basse-taille enameling involved depressions hollowed out in the metal with the enameling filling the entire piece.
Art Nouveau Egyptian motif scarab beetle pin
This Art Nouveau Egyptian motif scarab beetle pin displays plique-a-jour enameling and is fashioned from silver overlaid with gold. The condition of the enameling is extremely important in pricing jewelry from this period. The enameling in this brooch is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Popular Gemstones in Art Nouveau Jewelry

The gem materials most popular during the Art Nouveau were amber, celluloid (plastic), chrysoberyl, crystal glass, demantoid garnet, horn, malachite, moonstone, opal, tortoise shell, and tourmaline.

Asian Arts and Crafts pendant
This Arts and Crafts pendant features an Asian motif and a huge drop of jadeite accented with seed pearls and a 0.1 carat emerald. The hand-fabrication and intricate metalwork are eye-catching. The jadeite is magnificent. The necklace is 9k yellow gold. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Jewelry of the Arts and Crafts Period (1890-1910)

The jewelry created in this style was an attempt to reclaim art from the machine. However, this return to the old ways was short-lived and not very popular. Arts and Crafts jewelry pieces featured very simple designs. The intricacy of the metalwork was the focal point. Semi-precious gems, non-precious metals, and enameling were commonly used.

Belle Époque jewelry Lavaliere pendant featuring pastel enameling
This delicate lavaliere pendant features pastel enameling and two Old Mine-cut diamonds weighing 0.05 carats. Notice how the artistry of the piece rather than glittering gemstones captures the attention of the viewer. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Jewelry of the Edwardian Period (1901-1915)

The Edwardian period covered the reign of King Edward of Great Britain and his trendsetting queen, Alexandra. The jewelry from this period was very light and delicate. Diamonds took center stage, while colored gemstones played supporting roles. Some of the most popular included amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, garnet, moonstone, opal, pearl, peridot, ruby, and sapphire.

Belle Époque Jewelry Edwardian Pendant
This Edwardian pendant features Old Mine-cut and single-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.90 carats in delicate but strong platinum settings. The center diamond is a 0.45 carat Old European-cut diamond. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Platinum dominated as a jewelry metal. The strength of platinum, in particular, played an important role in Edwardian jewelry making. Thin bridges of platinum created delicate and lacy designs scattered with gemstones held tightly in place by the strong metal. In addition, jewelry makers frequently used rolled gold, multi-colored gold, and silver. The Japanese art of enameling was a prominent feature in the Belle Époque jewelry of this time.

Common motifs were bows, crescent moons with stars, flowers, horseshoes, shamrocks, sporting themes, and wishbones.

Belle Époque Jewelry Platinum Edwardian Brooch
This beautiful platinum brooch features the popular Edwardian bow motif and exemplifies the intricate laciness of Belle Époque jewelry from this period. The bow features rose-cut and Old Mine-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.00 carat, accented with ribbons of 59 calibre-cut onyx. The diamond weight is substantial, but the artistry of the design steals the show. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Popular Belle Époque Jewelry Items

  • Brooches.
  • Dog collars: elaborate choker-style necklaces.
  • Festoon necklaces: draped necklaces.
  • Pendants and lavalieres.
  • Sautoir: a long, roped necklace that ended with a tassel.
  • Screw back earrings.
Belle Époque Jewelry Art Nouveau festoon necklace featuring two peridots
This festoon necklace features two peridots, weighing a total of 2.75 carats, accented with seven freshwater pearls. The pendant is 16k yellow gold, while the chain is 18k yellow gold. The semi-precious gemstones and the graceful, draped style is classic Art Nouveau. Photograph by Cole Bybee. Image courtesy of Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry.

Popular Gem Cutting Styles for Belle Époque Jewelry

  • Old Mine cut: a rounded, square shape with many facets that closely resembles today's modern round brilliant cut.
  • Cabochon: a rounded top and flat bottom.
  • Old European cut: a round, faceted shape, a precursor to today's modern round brilliant cut.

Belle Époque Jewelry Today

The carnage of World War I halted the artistry and opulence of Belle Époque jewelry. Instead of jewelry, the world became focused on fighting a war and wishing brave young men safely home. Nevertheless, the designs of that time period continue to inspire the creations of jewelry makers to this day, and the jewelry pieces from that bygone era are highly prized treasures.

Belle Époque jewelry inspired custom jewelry piece disassembled
This custom jewelry piece disassembles to create a simple monogram pin, which can then be embellished with an additional diamond surround. Then, in turn, it can be hung from the bow, a favorite motif of Belle Époque jewelry, which is itself a pin that can be worn individually. A circle diamond center joins the pearl necklace, so it can be worn alone or with an additional piece suspended below. © J. Grahl Design. Used with permission.

Megan Coward, Graduate Jeweler Gemologist, GIA, Graduate Gemologist

Megan Coward is a graduate of the GIA with Graduate Jeweler Gemologist and Graduate Gemologist accreditations. She has 20+ years in the retail jewelry industry in various roles including as a diamond buyer and gemstone appraiser.

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