Recently Sold (VN145)

Exuberant - Vintage Signed 'Sherman' Rhodium Plated Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone Collar Necklace. This exquisite necklace is crafted from rhodium plate over a base metal, signed 'Sherman'.  Featuring Swarovski marquise and round cut faceted crystals, vintage styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This gorgeous necklace is designed to be worn as a collar, which is adjustable to your desired length. There are numerous sparkling clear marquise and round cut Swarovski crystals , which surround the entire necklace and sparkle like diamonds, The extender is a chain link . which is finished off beautifully by a dangling crystal rhinestone. The clasp is a hook design, which simply hooks onto one of the extenders chain links. This vintage 'Sherman' necklace looks stunning when worn. It would make a perfect show stopping bridal necklace or a wonderful special occasion piece.

History: Centuries ago, quartz pebbles with a high lead content were found sparkling on the banks of Europe's Rhine River. These beautiful, natural stones were highly coveted and were eventually depleted, inspiring jewelers to create an imitation, aptly named the "rhinestone."

Rhinestones which are also known as diamantes or paste date back as far as the thirteenth century where they were first made from Czechoslovakian or Bohemian hand blown glass. The term rhinestone came along later, when rock crystals were discovered in and around the shores of the river Rhine in Austria.

Rhodium was discovered in 1803 by William Wollaston. He collaborated with Smithson Tennant in a commercial venture, part of which was to produce pure platinum for sale. The first step in the process was to dissolve ordinary platinum in aqua regia (nitric acid + hydrochloric acid).

Rhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s. It was also used as a plating for cigarette lighters and writing instruments during that time. One of the many companies that used rhodium plating was the Ronson Lighter Company, which produced many art-deco style items in the 30s.

Gustave Sherman designed and manufactured some of the highest quality and most beautiful fine costume jewelry in Canada, if not the world. Even though he had no schooling in business or jewelry-making, Gustave founded his Montreal manufacturing company, Sherman Costume Jewelry, in 1947.

1895: The Swarovski company is founded in Wattens, Austria. Daniel Swarovski and his partners were seeking a new business location and this small town offered advantages: distance from imitators, good transport to Paris and possibility of using hydroelectric power.

Stone Size: Swarovski Crystal (Marquise large)  14.00 mm x 7.00 mm   Marquise(Small) 9.00 mm x 5.00 mm   Round Crystal (large) 6.00 mm Round (small) 4.00 mm 

Weight: 60.80 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Canada, Quebec, Montreal  

Date: Circa 1950