Filigree Jewelry

The art of making filigree jewelry dates back to the Edwardian era in the early 1900's and it continued through to the early part of the art deco period. In the late 1880's, when Russians used platinum commercially in minting coins and then later for jewelry, western jewelers caught onto the trend and searched for a new style to differentiate the staid Victorian styles.

Using platinum, the jewelers created extremely arduous, time intensive, intricate designs in their jewelry. Hence filigree, with its illusion of lightness and its intricate artistic designs became popular. Jewelers during the early art deco era started using white gold instead of platinum as filigree jewelry started gaining popularity.

Types of filigree jewelry included filigree rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces, filigree brooches and pins and bracelets.

The popularity of filigree jewelry reached epic proportions during the art deco period of the 1920's and 1930's, but today there is a revival in its reputation. The romanticism and detail of filigree jewelry has imbued it with an enduring appeal that has endured over time.