Stuart Crystal jewelry is rare and coveted by collectors. This form of jewelry began in England following the execution of Charles 1 in 1649. His loyal Stuart followers wore momentos in silent support, with foiled rock crystal bearing his initials, lock of hair, or miniature portrait. The tradition followed into the 18th century where the people continued to wear this form, but adapted the design for their personal use.< ...click for details
This wonderful Scottish agate sterling bracelet is designed as a a working belt. So rare to find, it has agates indigenous to Scotland all perfectly cut and inlaid into engraved sections. The buckle is curved as are the inlaid agates . The bracelet is secured with a "keeper" a small sliding engraved silver strip that slides on and off. It adjusts for size and would fit a small to average wrist. It measures 8 7/8 inches long X 3/4 inches wide across the band. The central buckle is 1 3/ ...click for details
These earrings are Victorian,circa 1880. The design is classical vine/ leaves terminating in a flower head. The rose cut pastes are all foil back and set in silver, rub over, hand crimped collets. All sections articulate and the earrings hang gracefully from the ears.
The backs are an indication of quality work, as they too are beautifully rendered in sterling with a silky smooth finish.
Finding antique earrings as lovely as these is always a joy. They are Georgian, and designed as cascading leaves terminating with a flower head. The silver detail, as expected of this period, is finely rendered. The millegrain work on the front and the smooth silver work on the back are earmarks of a skilled craftsman. These are especially beautiful as each paste has been foiled and hand set in rub over crimped collets. The use of foil beneath the stone was used because the back of the stones we ...click for details
Star light,star bright....This magical Georgian crystal pendant is circa 1800. It has vibrant, bright crystals that have a large table with faceting around the perimeter. The stones are all foil back and black dot. The foiling beneath the stone brings light to the closed back, and the tiny black dot was used to simulate the culate of a diamond. Although these are not genuine "diamonds" imitation jewelry from this period is highly collectible, as the cutting and setting of the stones w ...click for details
These radiant, Georgian paste earrings are circa 1820. Originally cuff buttons, they have been beautifully converted to earrings with the addition of gold wires. They are white,bright and clear with the characteristic black dot. The dot had been used to simulate the culet of a diamond. The faceted pastes are foiled back, radiating light with every turn. The use of foil during this period was to enhance the brilliance, as the stones were typically closed in the back. These earrings have silver r ...click for details
The reviere necklace epitomizes the understated elegance of the Georgian period of design. Stones finely connected to one another,and set in closed back crimped collets, secured with a concealed clasp, have remained as timely in design as they had been hundreds of years ago.
This example has bright, colorless cushion cut pastes, set with foil beneath the stone to enhance the reflection of light. The technique of foil ...click for details
This striking antique gold Portuguese ring is circa 1770. The respect and surge in interest of early paste jewelry is largely due to the beauty as an art form as well as its rarity. Its appeal was to rich and poor alike, as it surpassed the need to imitate expensive stones, having a unique beauty of its own.
In this example the black dot pastes are of various shapes, hand cut, foil back and set in crimped silver coll ...click for details
Perhaps the rarest item I have offered for sale, these wonderful earrings are late 18th century Portuguese. Chrysoberyl jewelry, highly desired by collectors have become exceedingly scarce. The stone derived from the Greek words meaning "golden beryl" is a beautiful pale yellow/ green. Each stone is well matched in color , foiled, and meticulously set in silver hand crimped collets. The style is the classic three section pendeloque. Each section articulates and the stones catch the li ...click for details
These lovely Georgian paste earrings are foil backed and set in crimped,cut down silver collets. They originally were used as cuff links, given new purpose with the addition of gold wires. They are very bright and are especially beautiful in the evening light. The backs have wear as seen in the photo with several dings, all of which are not visible when worn. The oval shape and size make them most wearable and desirable. The measure 3/4 inches from the top of the wire x slightly less than 1/2 in ...click for details
