Belle Époque - Victorian 18K Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond French Blue Enamel Pendant & 10K White Gold Chain (VICP121)

Belle Époque - Victorian 18K Gold Natural Rose-Cut Diamond French Blue Enamel Pendant & 10K White Gold Chain.  This exquisite pendant is crafted from 18K white and yellow gold, tested, and confirmed, displaying a European hallmark(Most likely French). The chain is crafted from 10K white gold, hallmarked 417 for 10K gold. The pendant features 14 natural hand-cut antique old rose cut diamonds, blue enamel work, Victorian Belle Époque era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This pendant is extremely fine and beautifully made. The diamond shaped pendant showcases beautiful French blue enamel work, and glowing diamonds. The central portion of the pendant exhibits a lovely floral appliqué set with diamonds. The enamel work is surrounded by a white gold milgrain frame, which is also adorned by glowing diamonds. The bale is decorative and fine, and set with one single diamond, which ties-in the three diamond components perfectly. There is not one detail that is spared in this exquisite beautifully crafted little masterpiece. The pendant has been matched up to a 10K white gold chain, which is adjustable, therefore can be worn at two different lengths.  This Victorian beauty is most likely made in France, and a true rarity that needs to be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come. 

Note: A wonderful rare find. 

Note: Appraisal included with the pendant & chain. Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the value of antique and vintage jewelry. Appraised at $2500.00 (Tax Excluded) 

History:Belle Époque  period of French and European history that began after the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 and continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

French for “Beautiful Age,” Belle Époque celebrated a period of prosperity, peace and an abundance of creative talent in all of the arts, including fashion and jewelry. It was a time of all things elegant and beautiful.

The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road.

Enamel jewelry can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks, who mixed crushed glass with color agents such as cobalt or copper, then applying it to metals in painstaking details before permanently fusing it with heat.

600 BC: The first gold coins are struck in Lydia, Asia Minor. These are a crude mix of gold and silver. 560 BC: The Lydians learn how to refine these metals and the world's first bi-metallic coinage is created: gold and silver. These are called Croesids after their King, Croesus

White gold has been around since the turn of the 19th century, but it wasn't until the 1920s when it really started gaining popularity. At the time, platinum had been the preferred precious metal for jewellery. But it quickly became scarce as World War II raged on, and countries began to stockpile it for military use.

Measurements: Pendant 29.00 mm x 14.00 mm    Chain 18" - 16" (Adjustment) 

Stone Size: Rose Cut Diamonds .06 carats 

Weight: Pendant 3.46 grams   Chain 1.40 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Europe (Most likely France) 

Date: Circa 1890