A Sea Of Blue - Victorian Sterling Silver Natural Persian Turquoise Fringe Necklace (VICN034)
Rarities Antique Jewelry
A Sea Of Blue - Victorian Sterling Silver Natural Persian Turquoise Fringe Necklace. This alluring necklace is crafted from sterling silver, unmarked yet tested. Featuring numerous natural round cabochon Persian turquoise, Victorian era styling, and quality craftsmanship. This amazing Victorian necklace features 19 dangles with a very unique design pattern. It also has 2 additional turquoise bezels on each side of the dangles, which extends the turquoise gem pattern, and gives the piece a finished look. The necklace is symmetrical with a lovely feminine appearance. All the stones are present, original and in wonderful condition to the necklace. The color of the turquoise is a much desired robins egg blue with some color variations (a characteristic found in natural genuine turquoise). The necklace has a lovely patina throughout, and looks to be completely original. There is an extender, which has been added to the necklace, which can be removed or left on so it can be worn at your desired length. The clasp is is an antique type spring ring, in perfect working order. This Victorian era necklace looks stunning when worn, and a true rarity to be cherished for many years to come. So rare and beautiful!
Note: Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the antique value of antique jewelry. It is recommended that this antique necklace is insured for $3600.00 (Tax Excluded)
History: The earliest evidence of turquoise gemstones comes from ancient Egyptian tombs, which contain elaborate turquoise jewelry dating back to 3000 BCE. Egyptians set turquoise in gold necklaces and rings, used it as inlay, and carved it into scarabs.
As early as 2,100 BC, mines were operating in Persia, now Iran – the source of highly prized “Persian turquoise”. Celebrated for its bright, robin's egg blue colour, for thousands of years, Persian turquoise was regarded as the finest in the world.
The story of silver mining began about 5,000 years ago. Silver was first mined around 3,000 BCE in Anatolia, now located in modern-day Turkey. The precious metal helped early civilizations in the Near East, Ancient Greece to flourish.
The term "sterling silver" probably originated in eastern Germany when five towns formed the Hanseatic League in the 1100s. These town minted their own coins of 92.5 percent silver. When Britain sold cattle and grain to the League, they were paid in "Easterling coins".