This antique pendant is so elegant and refined and can not only be worn as a pendant, but can easily be worn as a brooch making this such a versatile piece of jewellery just as much as it is stunning to admire.
Dating from the Victorian era of the 1880's, the pendant was made in 18 carat yellow gold and topped in sterling silver. The reason why silver was used on the top, is that white gold was not yet invented and platinum, although already discovered, was not used in jewellery until around the same time as white gold in the early 1900’s.
Sitting proudly in the centre is a magnificent solid white opal that measures 3.90 carats and displays such wonderful spectral flashes of colour that is highlighted further by being surrounded by twenty six mine cut diamonds. Also known as cushion cut diamonds, they come together to total 0.65 carats and sparkle so beautifully.
At the top, the detachable bail is set with four rose cut diamonds that total 0.04 carats, and turning the locket over reveals a removable brooch section that once easily removed will allow this to sit flat against the skin as a pendant, or keeping it on and removing the top bail, will allow it to be worn as a brooch.
The main pendant section measures 17.3mm across by 18.8mm, or 29.7mm to the top of the bail, and this piece is destined to be admired for not only its beauty and elegance, but for its versatility as well.
Stock# ET1023
Circa: 1880
$Sold.
Out of stock
Antique opal pendant brooch
Antique opal and diamond pendant that converts to a brooch.
This antique opal and diamond pendant is set with rose cut diamonds and mine cut diamonds.
What are mine cut diamonds?
What is a cushion cut diamond?
At the start of the 18th century, a great leap forward emerged with the “invention” of the new 58-facetted diamond. At the time, these were the closest resemblance to today’s brilliant cut diamond. These are referred to as old mine cut diamonds, or “old miners” as well as “cushion cut diamonds” . These were cut often squarish or cushion shaped, with quite a steep angle on the crown and pavilion. This was to maximise weight retention in the diamond. As well as these features, the “old miners” often had quite a large culet or collet, the horizontal base formed by the blunting of a point when the stone is cut as a brilliant.
What is a rose cut diamond?
The design of a 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. This 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.
Click here to see more antique pendants that are currently instore:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-pendant-antique/
Click here to see more antique brooches that are currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-brooch-antique/
A link to the beautiful Victoria & Albert museum in London:
