Recently Sold (VICP109)

Garden Party - Victorian English 9K Gold Rhodolite Garnet & Natural Pearl Lavalier Pendant & 14K Gold Chain. This lovely pendant is crafted from 9K yellow gold, hallmarked 9ct (British Hallmark). The chain is crafted from 14K yellow gold, hallmarked 14K, and Italy. Featuring one natural oval cut faceted rhodolite garnet, 26 natural pearls, one cultured pearl, Victorian/Edwardian era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This gorgeous pendant has the most beautiful shape, showcasing an elongated shape and graceful curves. The pendant is expertly bezel set with a stunning rhodolite garnet, displaying reddish/purplish hues. The wonderful garnet is surround by a delicate gold frame, designed with scrolls and flowers, adorned by silvery grey lustrous pearls. The bottom of the pendant is finished off perfectly with a white cultured pearl dangle. The chain is a belcher style, which features a lobster claw clasp in perfect working order. This exquisite antique piece of jewelry is from the Victorian era, and in wonderful condition. Truly a piece to be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come. 

Note: Appraisal included with the pendant and chain. Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the antique value of antique jewelry. 

History: The term “lavalier” has a few different interpretations. Some use it to only refer to necklaces in which the pendant is attached on either side to a fine chain without a bail. Others use it to describe any elongated pendant from the turn of the 20th Century.

The history of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age, more than 5000 years ago. Its name, which has been used since these ancient times, was derived from the Latin word granatium, which means pomegranate (because the small, red crystals were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds).

Rhodolite garnets are connected with the U.S State of Rhode Island. Sometime in the 1890s in the State of North Carolina, a Rhode Island mineralogist named William Earl Hidden discovered rhodolite mineral in the gem-rich Cowee Valley, North Carolina.

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. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Measurements: Pendant (Including the bale) 46.00 mm x 24.00 mm 

Stone Size: Garnet (Rhodolite) 1.06 carats    Pearls (Natural) 1.00 mm    Pearl (Cultured) 4.80 mm 

Weight: Pendant & Chain 4.00 carats 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Pendant: England       Chain: Italy 

Date: Circa 1890