Recently Sold (VP178)

Alaskan Nights - Vintage Rhodium Plated Black Alaskan Diamond Pendant & Sterling Silver Chain. This lovely pendant is crafted from rhodium plate, the chain is crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked STER, 925 for sterling silver, and a makers mark JL. The Pendant is unsigned, however it is made by the maker Continental. Featuring one genuine round shape black Alaskan diamond(hematite),vintage stying, and quality craftsmanship. The gallery on this pendant is a round shaped bezel, which is set with a charcoal grey black Alaskan gemstone. The top of the bezel, has a wonderful scroll type design, and a fluted bale. The pendant has been matched up to a vintage sterling silver serpentine chain, which looks perfect with the pendant. The chain features a secure spring ring, in perfect working order. The pretty pendant would make a great addition to your vintage jewelry collection. 

History: There were massive deposits of Hematite in the tributaries above Egypt. When an earthquake dislodged a deposit, it ran into the water, turning it red and deadly to the inhabitants downstream. Hematite has also been called “Black Alaskan Diamond” although it is neither black nor a Diamond.

Rhodium was used as a novelty in the early 1920's to demonstrate its chrome-like brightness to prospective customers by the plating trade. Commercially, rhodium's presence grew quickly by the mid-1930's.

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".

In 1943, Sam Baker and Sol Mayoff became partners and set up shop in a 500 square-foot store front in a Vieux Montreal building. There, with four employees, they sold costume jewellery, various accessories and religious articles and became the small firm, Continental Jewellery.

Measurements: Pendant 17.00 mm x 13.50 mm      Chain 18 1/4 

Stone Size: Black Alaskan Diamond (Hematite) 8.50 mm 

Weight: 3.30 grams 

Condition: Good        Note: Scratch on hematite seen in bright light intensities. 

Origin: Canada 

Date: Circa 1970