Georgian Jewelry (1714 – 1837)

Georgian jewelry was produced in England around the time of the reigns of King George I to King George IV, 1714 to 1837.  Early Georgian style was heavily influenced by French Rococo. There are few pieces of Georgian jewelry still intact today: Not only was precious jewelry enjoyed only by a very limited few such as royalty, aristocracy and the very wealthy, but also were gemstones and gold often re-used and re-fashioned into later designs due to difficulty in obtaining raw materials.

Georgian jewelry is characterized by the use of what are known today as “semi-precious” stones in closed-back settings with floral or scroll motifs. These stones, such as garnets, topaz, aquamarines, amethysts etc, cut into early faceted gems, were very desirable and hard to obtain at that time. Gold work was often very simple. Stones were cut with few facets, making the stones appear glass-like. Eventually, more fully faceted diamonds started to become prevalent.