Highlands Jewel - Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Jeweled Specimen Agate Shield Lock Engraved Bracelet (VICB030)

Highlands Jewel - Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Jeweled Specimen Agate Shield Lock Engraved Bracelet. This wonderful bracelet is crafted from sterling silver, tested. The bracelet features 4 natural carved and polished Scottish agate segments, one natural shield shaped agate gemstone, Scottish Victorian era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This precious bracelet consists of 4 sculpted panels of banded and marbled agate, which is interspaced by exquisitely deeply hand-engraved sterling silver links, which securely connect the agate gems to the bracelet. The ends of the bracelet are designed to have this beautiful Shield jeweled agate lock, which locks in place nicely, and is in perfect working order. The lock also showcases an exquisite hand-engraved floral pattern on the back of the it. The colors of this bracelet are a beautiful variation of earth tones. This Victorian era bracelet is in superb condition and celebrates the artistic talents of the goldsmiths from Victorian era Scotland. 

History: The name “Agate” relates to the Greek name of the Dirillo River in Sicily, which was “Achates” or “Acate.” In fact, historians believe this is where the semiprecious stone was first discovered by the early earth scientist and Greek Philosopher named Theophrastus. Its initial discovery took place around 371 to 287 BCE.

Scottish Agates are renowned across the world for their particularly fine colouring and patterns. They feature in the Scottish crown jewels and have a history of being highly-prized by the Celts, who in ancient times used them as a talisman for luck and protection.

As well as on beaches agates can be found in ploughed fields, cliffs and quarries in Scotland.

Agate was made popular in Scottish jewellery styles in the 19th century, popularised by Queen Victoria. These stones are often found on bracelets, pendants and brooches.

The origins of sterling silver can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Silver was first mined in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) around 4000 BCE, and by 2500 BCE, the Egyptians were using silver for decorative objects. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used silver for coins, jewellery, and tableware.

The term sterling silver denotes any silver alloy in which pure silver makes up at least 92.5 percent of the content. One theory is that the word sterling comes from the name Easterlings—coiners from east German states brought to England during the reign of Henry II (1154–89) to improve the quality of the coinage.

By about the 12th century in England, silver coins were called "Easterlings," a word later abbreviated to "sterling." In 1300, King Edward I made the definition official by declaring that sterling silver had to be 92.5 percent pure silver and should be marked by "guardians of the craft."

Measurements: Bracelet 7 1/2" 

Stone Size: Agate (Segments) 43.00 mm x 9.50 mm    Agate(Shield) 21.00 mm x 17.00 mm 

Weight: 25.60 grams 

Condition: Excellent     Note: Exceptional Condition.

Origin: Scotland 

Date: Circa 1880