The History of Putting Real Flowers in Jewellery

Real flower jewellery has a timeless magic. It captures something delicate, fleeting and deeply symbolic, preserving a moment of natural beauty so it can be worn close to the heart. From ancient garlands and pressed flowers to modern sterling silver pendants handmade with real flowers by Shrieking Violet®, the story of floral jewellery is rich with romance, memory and craftsmanship.

Flowers and Jewellery: A Love Story Thousands of Years Old

Human beings have decorated themselves with flowers for thousands of years. Long before precious stones became symbols of luxury, flowers were used in crowns, garlands, bracelets and ceremonial adornments. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all wore flowers as part of rituals, celebrations and expressions of status.

In ancient Egypt, flowers such as lotus blossoms were associated with rebirth, purity and the sun. Floral motifs appeared in necklaces, collars, rings and decorative objects. Although many of these designs were made from gold, glass or carved stone rather than actual preserved flowers, they show how deeply flowers were connected to beauty and meaning.

The Greeks and Romans also used fresh flowers in wreaths and garlands. Laurel, myrtle, roses and violets were worn during festivals, weddings and banquets. Flowers were not simply decoration; they carried messages of love, victory, devotion and remembrance.

The Language of Flowers

The emotional power of flower jewellery grew even stronger with the rise of floriography, also known as the language of flowers. This symbolic floral language became especially popular during the Victorian era, when flowers were used to express feelings that could not always be spoken aloud.

Each flower carried its own meaning. Roses symbolised love and passion. Forget-me-nots represented remembrance and lasting affection. Violets were linked to modesty, loyalty and devotion. Daisies suggested innocence and cheerfulness.

Because of these associations, flowers became popular in jewellery design. Brooches, lockets, rings and pendants often featured floral patterns, enamelled blooms or engraved petals. Wearing a flower-inspired piece was a discreet way to carry a message, whether romantic, sentimental or personal. Today, you can find this same sentiment in pieces like our Mixed Flower Heart Pendant Necklace, where nature's symbolism is beautifully preserved.

Pressed Flowers and Sentimental Keepsakes

The tradition of preserving real flowers has a long history too. Pressed flowers were often kept inside books, letters and journals as treasured mementos. A flower from a wedding bouquet, a garden, a special walk or a romantic gift could be dried and saved for years.

During the Victorian period, sentimental jewellery became especially popular. Lockets held hair, portraits, tiny notes and sometimes botanical keepsakes. While not all preserved-flower pieces from this era were made in the way modern real flower jewellery is, the idea was the same: to preserve a meaningful part of nature and turn it into something deeply personal.

Real flowers had the power to connect jewellery to a memory. A tiny bloom could become a reminder of a person, a place, a season or a heartfelt moment.

Flowers in Art Nouveau Jewellery

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Art Nouveau movement brought flowers to the centre of jewellery design. Artists and jewellers were inspired by the flowing shapes of nature, creating pieces filled with lilies, orchids, irises, poppies, vines and delicate leaves.

Art Nouveau jewellery often used enamel, glass, gemstones and precious metals to recreate the graceful forms of flowers. These pieces celebrated nature's curves, colours and fragility. Although many were stylised rather than made with real petals, they helped establish floral jewellery as a true art form.

This period also reinforced the idea that jewellery could be expressive, organic and full of emotion, not just a display of wealth.

The Rise of Real Flower Jewellery

Modern real flower jewellery takes the historic love of flowers a step further. Instead of merely shaping metal to look like a flower, the flower itself becomes part of the piece.

Tiny real flowers are carefully selected, dried and preserved before being set into jewellery. This process allows the natural colours, shapes and details of the flowers to remain visible. Every petal, stem and bloom is unique, which means each item of real flower jewellery is one of a kind.

This is what makes real flower jewellery so special. It combines the beauty of nature with the skill of jewellery making. It is both botanical art and wearable keepsake. Explore our Mixed Flower Large Round Earrings and Mixed Flower Round Chain Bracelet to see this craft in action.

Why Real Flowers Make Jewellery So Meaningful

Real flowers bring a sense of authenticity that cannot be replicated by imitation designs. A pendant containing a real forget-me-not feels different from one shaped like a forget-me-not. It holds the actual flower, preserved in time.

This makes real flower jewellery especially meaningful for gifts. A necklace made with miniature roses can symbolise love and affection. Forget-me-not jewellery is often chosen as a sentimental gift for someone deeply cherished. Daisies can bring a feeling of joy and freshness, while violets suggest loyalty and thoughtfulness.

Because flowers are connected to seasons, gardens, memories and emotions, real flower jewellery often feels intimate and personal. It is jewellery with a story.

Traditional Craft Meets Modern Design

Today, real flower jewellery blends old traditions with contemporary style. The preservation of flowers echoes the historic practice of pressing blooms in books and keepsake boxes, while modern jewellery techniques allow them to be worn beautifully every day.

At Shrieking Violet®, real flowers are carefully preserved and set into elegant designs, often using quality sterling silver. The result is jewellery that feels delicate, meaningful and timeless. Each piece celebrates the individuality of the flower, making no two items exactly alike. Our Personalised Sterling Silver Birthstone Flower Bracelet is a perfect example of this modern craftsmanship.

This craftsmanship gives real flower jewellery its unique appeal. It is not mass-produced in the usual sense; it depends on nature's own variation. A slight difference in petal shape or colour becomes part of the charm.

A Jewellery Tradition That Continues to Bloom

The history of putting flowers in jewellery is really the history of our relationship with nature, beauty and memory. From ancient floral garlands to Victorian keepsakes and modern preserved-flower pendants, flowers have always helped people express what matters most.

Real flower jewellery continues this tradition in a beautifully wearable way. It allows us to carry a piece of nature with us, to celebrate love, friendship, remembrance, joy and individuality.

In a world where so much is temporary, real flower jewellery offers something rare: a delicate bloom preserved forever, transformed into a lasting treasure.

Real Flower Jewellery: Nature, Meaning and Craftsmanship

Whether chosen as a gift or a personal keepsake, jewellery made with real flowers is more than an accessory. It is a small piece of botanical history, lovingly preserved and beautifully presented. It connects the wearer to centuries of floral symbolism while offering something fresh, modern and deeply personal.

Shop Our Real Flower Jewellery Collection

Inspired by the history of floral jewellery? Discover our handmade pieces, each crafted with real preserved flowers and sterling silver.

Forget-Me-Not Round Pendant Necklace

Mixed Flower Heart Pendant Necklace

Mixed Flower Large Round Earrings

Mixed Flower Round Chain Bracelet

Mixed Flower Heart Stretch Silver Beaded Bracelet

Personalised Sterling Silver Birthstone Flower Bracelet

From ancient traditions to contemporary design, the story of real flower jewellery continues to blossom. Browse our full collection of real flower jewellery and find a piece that speaks to you.