$5,750.00
The flower set with diamonds, the vibrant green enamel and the fact that this can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch, all come together perfectly to create this magnificent piece from the Victorian era.
Hand made in the 1870's in 12 carat gold and sterling silver, the reason that silver was used to set the diamonds into, was that it was known that the yellow colour from the gold could artificially tint the diamonds. And the other reason during this time that silver was used, was that it wouldn't be until the early 1900's that white gold was invented, and although platinum had already been discovered, there was not the technology to heat the platinum to a sufficient temperature to use it in jewellery, which was again in the early 1900's.
The enamel on the front used a style called guilloché enamelling, and is a decorative technique in which a very precise and repetitive pattern is engraved into an underlying material, in this case gold, and then the enamel applied over the top. After the firing process is completed, it is polished back to a high lustre revealing the engraved pattern below the surface. The result in this pendant is just incredible and is of course highlighted by the flower in the front that is set with twelve rose cut diamonds. With a further twelve rose cut diamonds around the border, there are five more on the detachable bail at the top. This bail can be easily removed to allow it to then be worn as a brooch without the bail in the way. The diamonds come together to total 0.15 carats, and have all the charm and character of being painstakingly cut by hand well over 150 years ago.
Measuring 27.1mm across by 38.9mm to the top of the bail when attached, this piece is as beautiful as it is versatile and will always be loved and admired each time that it is worn.
Stock# ET701
Circa: 1870
$5,750
In stock
Antique enamel and diamond pendant/brooch
Antique enamel and diamond pendant/brooch made in the Victorian era of the 1870's. This antique pendant can easily be converted and worn as a brooch. This beautiful antique pendant is set with rose cut diamonds. This antique pendant uses a technique called guilloché enamel.
Guilloché is a beautiful technique in which a very precise and repetitive pattern is engraved into an underlying material such as gold or silver and then the enamel applied over the top. After the firing process is completed, it is polished back to a high lustre revealing the engraved pattern below the surface,
Like the name implies, the rose cut diamond resembles a rose bud, comprising of a flat base with a number of triangular facets arranged in rows above each other, meeting at a sharp point in the centre.
First manufactured in India at the end of the 15th Century, this cut was perfected at the diamond cutting workshops in Antwerp and Amsterdam, and was very popular during most of the 16th and 17thcenturies.
Because the base of the diamond was flat, stones were often foiled back to improve the brilliance of the stone. This was achieved by applying foils or tints to the base of the stone.
For a number of years, diamond cutters experimented with variations of the rose cut, resulting in some truly amazing cuts, such as the Dutch rose, half-Dutch and the boat- shaped rose.
At Kalmar Antiques in Sydney's historic Queen Victoria Building.
What is the difference between vintage jewellery and antique jewellery?
Vintage jewellery is one that is over twenty years old, but less than one hundred. Antiques on the other hand, must be over one hundred years old to be considered as an antique.
At Kalmar Antiques on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building, in the heart of Sydney. The Queen Victoria Building is just a few minutes walk from the Strand Arcade and Town Hall Station.
Kalmar Antiques in Sydney is Australia's number one antique jewellery and watch store.
At Kalmar Antiques in the Queen Victoria Building, we have been repairing antique jewellery for over thirty five years. As well as jewellery, we have two watchmakers on site and are an authorised OMEGA watch service centre.
Click here to see some more antique necklaces and pendants that are currently instore:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-pendant-antique/
Click here for a link to the beautiful and historic Queen Victoria Building. We are on the top floor and are the only antique jewellery store in the building:
