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Marquise Elegance - Vintage Gold Plated Green Tourmaline & 14K Gold Filled Chain. This elegant pendant is crafted from gold plate over metal. The chain is crafted from gold fill, hallmarked 1/20 14K. Featuring one marquise cut green tourmaline (synthetic), and classic styling. The gallery on this pendant is claw-set with a beautiful vibrant green synthetic tourmaline. The solitaire pendant has been matched up to a pretty belcher style chain, which features a spring ring clasp in perfect working order. The pendant is simple and classic, truly a lovely piece to add to any vintage jewelry collection. 

History:In the 1500s, a Spanish conquistador found green tourmaline in Brazil—which he mistook for emerald. His error held until the 1800s, when mineralogists finally identified tourmaline as its own mineral species. Variations of the name “schorl” may have been used to describe black tourmaline even before 1400.

Synthetic gem crystals have been manufactured since the late 1800s, and their production is often marked by a need for them in industrial applications outside of the jewelry industry. The first success was in producing synthetic ruby of faceting quality.

The first known gold plating occurred in northern Peru, where Pre-Columbian smiths gilded and silvered copper pieces by electrochemical replacement techniques. During excavations in the late 1980s, archaeologists discovered gold and silver ornamental and ceremonial artifacts dating all the way back to AD 50-300. 

The modern gold filled wire and sheet metal technique was discovered in 1817 by John Turner, an Englishman, who patented his discovery.

Unlike solid gold jewelry, gold-filled jewelry is composed of a solid layer of gold that is bonded to a base of another metal, such as sterling silver or copper. While gold-filled jewelry is typically less expensive than solid gold jewelry, it is actually more durable, looking shiny and new even with decades of wear.

Measurements: Pendant 16.00 mm x 5.50 mm     Chain 18" 

Stone Size: Tourmaline (synthetic) .75 carats 

Weight: 1.90 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Pendant : Italy        Chain: Ireland 

Date: Circa 1980