Recently Sold (VE154)

Vampire Bite - Vintage Birks 18K Gold Almandine Garnet Stud Earrings.  These wonderful earrings are crafted from 18K gold, hallmarked 750 for 18K.  Featuring 2 natural cabochon oval cut Almandine garnets, classic styling and quality craftsmanship.  These gorgeous earrings have an ancient feel displaying 18K rich yellow gold and beautiful glowing red garnets. They are expertly bezel set, and display an exquisite raised floral design that surrounds the entire bezel.  The earrings are for pierced ears, featuring posts and secure butterfly backings. These Vintage earrings are high quality and are so versatile. True beauties to be enjoyed and treasured for many years to come. 

Note: Appraisal included with the earrings. Almandine Garnets are one of the most prized garnets, most often found in antique jewelry. 

History : Garnets were found as beads in a necklace worn by a young man in a grave that dates back to 3000 B.C. This is proof of the hardness and durability of the stone. The King of Saxony is said to have had a garnet of over 465 carats. Plato had his portrait engraved on a garnet by a Roman engraver.

Almandine occurs rather abundantly in the gem-gravels of Sri Lanka, whence it has sometimes been called Ceylon-ruby. When the color inclines to a violet tint, the stone is often called Syriam garnet, a name said to be taken from Syriam, an ancient town of Pegu (now part of Myanmar).

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Measurements: 9.00 mm  x 7.00 mm 

Stone Size: Almandine Garnet 1.00 carat 

Weight: 3.30 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Italy    Provenance: Canada 

Date: Circa 1980