Recently Sold (VICP090)

Laurel Wreath - Victorian 10K Gold Natural Diamond & Pearl Lavalier Pendant. This exquisite pendant is crafted from 10K yellow gold, hallmarked 10K on the bale. Featuring one natural round cut diamond, 11 natural pearls, one natural baroque pearl, Victorian era styling, and quality craftsmanship. This precious pendant has a decorative bale, which supports a beautiful open-work gold frame, adorned by a glowing antique cut diamond. The frame showcases exquisite fine filigree work, which is flanked by pearls and a beautifully engraved laurel wreath.  The precious diamond is set in a claw-set secure buttercup setting (a characteristic seen in Victorian jewelry) The pendant has a wonderful baroque white pearl drop, which finishes the design perfectly. The chain matches beautifully and marked 14K 1/20 for 14K Gold Fill.  The Victorian era pendant is light and airy, and in amazing condition.  A beautiful addition to any fine jewelry collection.

Note: Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the value of antique jewelry. Value is based on rarity, desirability, gemstones, metals, and most importantly the craftsmanship. Therefore value is more-so object driven. 

Antique Appraisal Value, for insurance purposes: $1300.00 (tax excluded)  June 26, 2022. Antique Jewelry Appraiser : Michelle Sillence 

 History: In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of Continental Europe.

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.

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.

Dating back more than 5,000 years, when gold was first discovered – albeit usually in small quantities – attracted the eye of early man nearly everywhere. And unlike most metals, gold often appears in nature in its pure form so it need not be refined.

Measurements: Pendant 40.00 mm x 14.00 mm    Chain 18" 

Stone Size: Diamond .015 carats   Seed Pearls 1.00 mm 2.00 mm  Baroque Pearl 7.00 mm x 4.00 mm 

Weight: 2.90 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1890