It’s no coincidence that the most eligible young woman on the marriage market in Netflix’s Regency-era drama Bridgerton is referred to as the “diamond of the season.” The show, in so many ways, demonstrates a clear appreciation for jewels and the power they hold in storytelling.
The first season’s diamond, Daphne Bridgerton, often donned delicate pearl necklaces and earrings. Pearls, historically associated with purity and virtue, underscored her status as a desired young lady and the epitome of innocence. As the character matured and her narrative deepened, her jewelry has evolved, mirroring her transition from a naive debutante to a woman with complex emotions and experiences.
The necklace pictured at top ($75,000, Lang Antiques) is from the Edwardian era, about a century after Bridgerton Season 1 takes place, but with its strand of natural saltwater pearls and a nearly 9 mm pearl drop—plus 9.8 cts. t.w. diamonds—it recalls Daphne’s jewels. Below, we feature other pieces similar to those worn by Bridgerton characters and look into their meaning. Beware: Plot spoilers await!
Penelope Featherington’s engagement ring from Colin Bridgerton looked almost identical to the one Daphne received from Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, representing a woman coming into her own. Its floral motif could be a nod to Penelope’s reputation as a wallflower throughout the series.
Conversely, the rest of the cunning Featherington family uses jewelry to depict their aspirations and flamboyant personalities. Their flashy, colorful adornments reflect their desire to climb the social ladder, often teetering on the edge of ostentation.
And then there is jewelry that makes a one-off appearance, like the pocket watch Colin Bridgerton gives his mother, Violet, in Season 3. Her late husband, Edmund, always carried a watch, and this gift seemingly represents how time stopped for Violet after his sudden death—and perhaps hints at how that would change for her, as she again experiences romance later in the season.
Much like the secrecy and whisperings throughout the series, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the jewels on Bridgerton—if you only look close enough!
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