Robins Egg Blue - Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Pendant & Silver Toned Chain (VP274)

Robins Egg Blue- Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Pendant & Silver Toned Chain. This gorgeous pendant is crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked and tested 925 sterling silver. The chain is crafted from a silver toned metal. The pendant features one oval cabochon turquoise gemstone (simulated), and vintage era styling.  This pendant is comprised of a sterling silver bezel, which is set with a beautiful turquoise gemstone, displaying a robins egg blue colour, and a rust coloured matrix. The chain is a solid curb chain design, featuring a spring ring clasp, which is in perfect working order. This vintage pendant is large in scale, and looks stunning when worn. 

History: 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.

Simulated turquoise has a history intertwined with the popularity and scarcity of the genuine gemstone. As natural turquoise became more difficult to mine and therefore more expensive, manufacturers began producing imitations using materials like howlite and magnesite, which were then dyed and stabilized to resemble turquoise. This practice became prevalent in the 1990s when Chinese manufacturers began producing large quantities of dyed and stabilized materials. 

The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. They heated the silver ore and blew air over it, a process called cupellation.

The sterling alloy originated in continental Europe and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany. A piece of sterling silver dating from Henry II's reign was used as a standard in the Trial of the Pyx until it was deposited at the Royal Mint in 1843.

Measurements: Pendant 42.00 mm x 26.50 mm      Chain: 20" 

Stone Size: Turquoise (Simulated) 33.50 mm x 26.00 mm 

Weight: 17.10 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Most likely Thailand 

Date: Circa 1980