The history behind suffragette jewellery: purple, white and green
We've just received a genuine Edwardian suffragette necklace into Jordan's Jewellers in Dorchester — an item that carries the colours and the spirit of a movement that changed history. Below, we explain what suffragette jewellery is, what the colours represent, how to tell if pieces are genuine, and how to wear them today.
What is suffragette jewellery?
In Britain, WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union) members identified themselves using jewellery and fashion. From 1908 onwards, purple, white and green has been a signature colour scheme employed on brooches, pendants and necklaces. Jewellers in those days made works that harmonized these colours in elegant Edwardian designs.
What do the suffragette jewellery colours mean?
Purple was the colour of loyalty and dignity, white was purity, and green hope. All three colours displayed together in a subtle but unmistakable show of solidarity that was worn every day.
Typical gemstones in authentic pieces
Authentic Edwardian cases would pair:
- Amethyst (purple)
- Pearls or old-cut diamonds (white)
- Peridot or green chalcedony (green)
The gems were easily accessible and allowed jewellers to illustrate the WSPU colour scheme.
Authentic or "in the style of" — how to identify the genuine pieces
Because purple/green/white is a long-lasting colour scheme, not everything in tri-colour is genuinely suffragette. Use the following checklist:
- Date and construction: c. 1908–1914; Edwardian or Art Nouveau mounts; hand-made findings; period clasps.
- Materials: 9–15ct gold or silver-fronted gold; amethyst, peridot, pearls/diamonds suitable for the time.
- Workmanship: old-cut or seed pearls, milgrain edges, knife-edge bars, and other period work.
- Provenance: maker's marks, retailer history, or citations in period adverts/catalogues.
- Popular myth: the "green-white-violet = Give Women Votes" acronym is a handy backronym; employ colour virtues above and physical evidence.
How to wear suffragette jewellery today
Make the colours stand out. Coordinate with cream silk, dark plum knitwear or pale spring greens. Warm metal tones (9–15ct yellow or rose gold) look lovely with amethyst and peridot. For understated modernity, simply wear the necklace by itself over a crisp white blouse and sleek blazer. For evening, match the colour scheme with a minimalist seed-pearl stud.
Purchase our authentic suffragette necklace
Find our newly acquired authentic Edwardian suffragette necklace — peridot, amethyst and pearl in original WSPU colours — now for sale at Jordan's Jewellers.
Shop Here
FAQs
Q: What makes a necklace "suffragette" rather than just Edwardian?
A: Colour is not proof on its own. Inspect for the 1908–1914 period of making, materials and — ideally — provenance or contemporary references.
Q: What do purple, white and green represent?
A: Loyalty and dignity (purple), purity (white) and hope (green).
Q: Which are typical stones?
A: Amethyst, peridot and pearls/diamonds is the most common tri-colour set.
Q: Were suffragette colours different overseas?
A: Yes. In America, purple, white and gold were the typical colours employed by campaigners.
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