Sarah Coventry - Vintage Gold Plated Simulated Jade & Pearl Bypass Ring (VR1053)

Sara Coventry - Vintage  Gold Plated Simulated Jade & Pearl Bypass Ring. This attractive ring is crafted from gold plate over metal, signed SARAH COV for Sarah Coventry. The ring features one simulated oval Jade cabochon, one simulated pearl, vintage era styling, and quality craftsmanship. This ring is set with a beautiful simulated green jade gemstone, and a white simulated pearl. The contrasting gems are set in a bypass design, which leads to a polished band, this allows for a comfortable fit. This vintage era ring looks very pretty when worn, truly a perfect addition to any vintage costume jewelry collection. 

History: The history of simulated jade is ancient, originating in China where materials like glass were made to imitate real jade as early as the Warring States period and continuing though the Qing Dynasty. This practice was driven by a variety of factors, including the scarcity of natural jade and the desire to create objects with a similar aesthetic for both religious and status purposes. Today, simulated jade includes modern glass imitations as well as other natural materials like serpentine, and is distinguished from real jade through scientific analysis. 

Two forms of faux pearls were manufactured in Italy, the earliest, produced from at least the 13th century, and hailing from the ingenious glass workshops of Venice, were imitation glass pearls. Some of these pearls were apparently made from an intriguing mixture of powdered glass, snail slime and egg white.

The technology behind gold plated jewelry is credited to Italian chemist Luigi Brugnatelli. In 1805, he discovered the process for electroplating. It was quickly adopted for jewelry styles, with many Victorian jewelry pieces using gold plating.

Sarah Coventry jewelry was named after the granddaughter of Lyman K. Stuart, the founder of the company. Established in 1949, thousands of women and some men were recruited to sell jewelry at Sarah Coventry home jewelry parties. It is recognized as the oldest direct selling jewelry company in the world.

Jewelry production stopped in the early 1980s, only to begin again in the early 2000s. Early Sarah Coventry jewelry was marked “Coventry”. Other marks used were “Sarah Coventry”, “SC”, “Sarah”, “Sarah Cov”, and “SAC”.

Measurements: Face of the Ring 15.00 mm x 13.00 mm 

Stone Size: Jade (Simulated) 10.00 mm x 8.00 mm      Pearl 6.00 mm 

Weight: 2.80 grams 

Ring Size: 6 1/2     Note: Can not be sized 

Condition: Very Good      Note: Some age related wear to gold plate. 

Origin: America, New York, Rhode Island 

Date: Circa 1970