Recently Sold (VP066)

Sealed With A Kiss - Vintage Birks 18K Almandine Garnet & Diamond Pendant.  This exquisite pendant is crafted from 18K, hallmarked 18K.  Featuring a natural oval cut cabochon Almandine garnet, a natural round brilliant cut diamond, classic styling, and high quality workmanship.  This expertly bezel garnet displays the most beautiful glowing red colour in different light intensities. Above the garnet sits a decorative bale in the form of a floral motif, adorned with a sparkling diamond.  The pendant is matched up to a wonderful 18K gold snake chain, featuring a secure lobster claw clasp. The necklace has an ancient feel with a modernistic twist, exhibiting simple elegance.  The necklace is high quality and looks so stunning when worn, truly a perfect gift for that special someone. 

Note: Appraisal included with the earrings. Almandine Garnets are know as one of the most prized garnets in the world. They are mostly seen in early antique jewelry. 

History : Garnets were found as beads in a necklace worn by a young man in a grave that dates back to 3000 B.C. This is proof of the hardness and durability of the stone. The King of Saxony is said to have had a garnet of over 465 carats. Plato had his portrait engraved on a garnet by a Roman engraver.

Almandine occurs rather abundantly in the gem-gravels of Sri Lanka, whence it has sometimes been called Ceylon-ruby. When the color inclines to a violet tint, the stone is often called Syriam garnet, a name said to be taken from Syriam, an ancient town of Pegu (now part of Myanmar).

The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road.

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: 9.00 mm  x 7.00 mm         Chain 18" 

Stone Size: Almandine Garnet 3.50 carat  Diamond .015 carat 

Weight: 8.70 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Italy   Provenance: Canada 

Date: Circa 1980