Recently Sold (VR820)

Sleeping Beauty  - Vintage 'Napoleonic Revival' 14K Gold Turquoise & Seed Pearl Ring. This stunning ring is crafted from 14K yellow gold, hallmarked 14K. Featuring a genuine reconstituted oval shaped cabochon turquoise, 26 genuine seed pearls, vintage styling ,and quality gold work. The beautiful ring boasts an amazing bezel set robins egg blue turquoise, with a lustrous seed pearl surround. The pearls are set by an ancient technique, which uses gold wire to securely hold them in place. The gallery has a delicate twisted design and open-work, whilst the shoulders have a slight taper and a smooth and polish band, which allows for a comfortable fit and easy sizing. The vintage ring has a 'French Napoleonic' feel and exhibits elegance and femininity from an era that was intrigued by the opulence of the 18th century. Truly wearable art that can be worn and cherished for many years to come. 

Note: Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the antique value. 

Comments: Wonderful Find. Such a unique and beautiful piece. 

Turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever mined, perhaps dating back to 6000 BC, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. ... Turquoise has been mined in Iran for over 3,000 years. It has been used for thousands of years for jewelry by the Ancient Egyptians, who buried fine pieces with mummies.

Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was considered the ultimate status symbol. ... According to legend, Cleopatra crushed a pearl into a glass of wine to prove to Marc Antony that she could give the most expensive dinner in history.

Gold was first discovered as shining, yellow nuggets. “Gold is where you find it,” so the saying goes, and gold was first discovered in its natural state, in streams all over the world. No doubt it was the first metal known to early hominids. Gold became a part of every human culture.

Reconstituted Turquoise: Is a treatment used that looks like natural turquoise.  It may have real turquoise mixed in during the making of it, but it is not considered 100 % natural.  However this treatment allows the gem to have stability. 

During this process, the stone is put under pressure, causing it to absorb a clear filler. This results in a harder stone that is suitable for use in jewelry. The stabilization process was first invented in the 1950s in Arizona.

Measurements: Face of the Ring : 23.50 mm x 19.00 mm 

Stone Size: Turquoise 17.00 mm x 13.00 mm    Seed pearl 2.00 mm each 

Weight: 6.80 grams 

Ring Size: 7  

Condition: Excellent  

Origin: America    

Date: Circa 1950