This archaeological-revival gold necklace features a filigree decoration, which is in fact thin golden wire twisted into refined motifs, in this case elegant little balls.  More »

This archaeological-revival gold necklace features a filigree decoration, which is in fact thin golden wire twisted into refined motifs, in this case elegant little balls. You can also notice the use of granulation on this piece. Granulation is a technique where the goldsmith uses very small balls (granules) of metal, which are not soldered to the piece but welded. Both techniques demand very high skills and precision from the maker. The continuous uniform fringe decorated with beads, wirework and florettes of this necklace is typical for the work of Eugne Fontenay. A demi-parure of very similar design is illustrated in French Jewelry of the Nineteenth Century, Henri Vever, translated by Katherine Purcell, p. 643. and a similar necklace plus matching earrings were sold at Sotheby's for $ 52,000 (Important Jewels auction, New York, February 2008 sale N08410, lot 110). Eugne Fontenay (1823-87) was one of the foremost goldsmiths in France during the second half of the nineteenth century. He was a great admirer of the ancient techniques of granulation and filigree, and became best known for his outstanding work in the 'archaeological' Era. Fontenay was no doubt inspired by the Campana collection of ancient jewellery, acquired by Napoleon III in 1860, and his firm produced much work in the antique Era based on Greek, Roman and Etruscan examples. Fontenay was a founding member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie-Joaillerie-Orfvrerie in Paris and was awarded the cross of the L(c)gion d'Honneur as a member of the jury at the Vienna exhibition in 1873 as a result of his masterly Report on the goldsmiths' and silversmiths' work. In 1882, Fontenay retired and devoted his time to publishing numerous articles on jewelry, as well as working on his masterpiece, Les Bijoux Anciens et Modernes, published posthumously in 1887. Choker Necklace Fontenay ref.09251-0188 18 carats yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark date: 1860-1870 origin: France - Paris length necklace 36.50 cm (14.37 inch) weight: 84.50 grams   « Less

An amazing ring for connoisseur, crafted circa 1650s 17th century, excellent condition, set with 1.30 carat diamonds and one cabochon ruby, high carat yellow gold shank at  More »

An amazing ring for connoisseur, crafted circa 1650s 17th century, excellent condition, set with 1.30 carat diamonds and one cabochon ruby, high carat yellow gold shank at least 18K, shoulders skillfully engraved, top of ring 0.53 inch by 0.59 inch, ring size US 6¼ (free resizing), weight 9.60 gram. Reference Nº 12051-0010   « Less

What a nice true piece of antique jewelry we have here. If only all antique jewelry could be of this quality! We see a skillful engraved angel (also called a cupid, cherub or  More »

What a nice true piece of antique jewelry we have here. If only all antique jewelry could be of this quality! We see a skillful engraved angel (also called a cupid, cherub or putto) with wings playing a flute in a shell-like background. To recognize the quality of the engraver only take a look at the cute little feet of the angel (see the pictures for a close-up). The cameo is cut in hardstone, a technique even more difficult then the usual shell where cameo's are cut from. The cameo is set in a wreath covered with diamonds and further embellished with 19 natural pearls. Pure eye-candy, a joy to look at, not to mention the pleasure owning and wearing it. Details: Era: Victorian Period: ca. 1860 Condition: excellent condition Material: 18k yellow gold and silver Diamonds: No less then 217 (!) rose cut diamonds Precious stones: One hard stone carnelian cameo and 19 natural pearls Dimensions: height 7.10 cm (2.80 inch) Weight: 22.90 grams Item ID: 11122-0039   « Less

It's an intriguing object of beauty. The tiara has a screw system that allows you to (un)screw the wings and place them on a brooch. At the back of the tiara there is a  More »

It's an intriguing object of beauty. The tiara has a screw system that allows you to (un)screw the wings and place them on a brooch. At the back of the tiara there is a system in which you can click either the white ostrich or the colorful peacock feather with a little golden cone that holds a feather. The tiara is made around 1890 in Netherlands in 18 high Carat rose gold with Dutch hallmarks. It holds 116 rose cut diamonds, in the wings 55 each and the tiara skeleton has another six rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts. With the tiara-skeleton and brooch-skeleton came two pins. We are not sure if they belong to the tiara nor are we sure how the system would work that should attach the wings or the tiara to the pins, but we decided to leave them with it and let the next owner worry about it (or not). Since we understand that there can be an "urge" to wear this tiara when in possession, we made a system that allows you to wear it. We made it in gold and used a black elastic wide band. But a skilled goldsmith could easily custom-make one into a smaller white band. The whole set comes in the box we bought it in that has a name in the inside. The name is H.B.Lohman, juwelier (Dutch for jeweler) in the Gravenstraat 2B, Den Haag (The Hague – Netherlands). It is not sure though that this is the maker, it could also only refer to the seller. Tiara H.B.Lohman original box ref.09021-0188 gold, diamonds date: 1880-1890 origin: Netherlands dimensions: 68.0 mm (2.68 inch) by 71.0 mm (2.80 inch) weighs 38.50 grams.   « Less

What a bracelet! The star sapphire in its center is something we hardly ever see, we couldn't stop playing with it in the sunlight. This is how one wants to have a Victorian  More »

What a bracelet! The star sapphire in its center is something we hardly ever see, we couldn't stop playing with it in the sunlight. This is how one wants to have a Victorian bracelet with a cabochon cut star sapphire and 86 rose cut diamonds to look like. The overall impression of this beauty is impressive, we are not even sure its splendour is caught well on the pictures. The bracelet is mostly in 18K gold but the center part is silver on top and backed with 18K yellow gold. The gold is stamped with the French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838 and the French control mark representing an rhinoceros' head that was in use in France from about 1847. Let's start looking at the master mark in this piece. We see an "L" and a "G" which was the "poiçon de maître" (French for "master mark") for Léon Gariod. This company was established by Gaucher and Tonnelier in 1859. Gaucher became the sole owner in 1869 and started a partnership with Gariod in 1875 who took over the company in 1884. The company with its address in Rue St. Augustin 29 in Paris became specialized in articulated bracelets and mat gold chains with precious stones. What's interesting about this company is that they worked very closely together with L.Gautrait, an illuster jeweller of the Art Nouveau period of who not much, if any, biographical information is known. According to Vever (who wrote the "bible" for antique jewelers around 1900), Gautrait was a "ciseleur-modeleur" and fidèle collaborateur" of the Parisian jewellers Léon Gariod. Vever characterised his collegue as an "excellent perfectionistic jeweller with a delicate taste". Vever continues: "These simple yet decorative jewels were meticulously made and extremely popular. With his attractive brooches and his pendants of contemporary or traditional inspiration, Gariod's work has attracted a great deal of attention. With his faithful collaborator M.(...M and not L ! - Adin) designs and chases these creations, characterized by their great refinement. Bracelet sapphire Leon Gariod Ref.08197-0188 sapphire, diamonds, gold, silver diameter of sapphire: 1.35 cm (0.53 inch) thickness of sapphire: 1.17 cm (0.46 inch) origin: France - Paris date: 1880s style: Victorian length: 18.50 cm (7.28 inch) weight: 36.20 grams   « Less

French Victorian gold link bracelet, a wrist full of rose bouquets Details: Country of origin: France Period: ca. 1880 Material: 18K yellow gold Hallmarks: The  More »

French Victorian gold link bracelet, a wrist full of rose bouquets Details: Country of origin: France Period: ca. 1880 Material: 18K yellow gold Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838. Condition: excellent condition+++ Dimensions: width 1.40 cm (0.55 inch), length 18.40 cm (7.24 inch) Weight: 18.40 gram (11.83 dwt) Item ID: 10343-0060   « Less

Fine antique gold locket pendant, open for pictures, beautiful filigree decoration, 18k solid gold, crafted circa 1870s, Victorian jewelry. Details: Era/Period:  More »

Fine antique gold locket pendant, open for pictures, beautiful filigree decoration, 18k solid gold, crafted circa 1870s, Victorian jewelry. Details: Era/Period: Victorian, circa 1870s Material: 18K bi-color gold (yellow and red) Technique : Filigree. This is in fact thin golden wire twisted into refined motifs. This technique demands very high skills and precision from the maker. Size : Height 1.69 inch, width 0.88 inch, weight 15.00 gram Reference N°: 07351-1004   « Less

Elegant and romantic Art Nouveau diamond engagement ring. Details: Country of origin: France Era: late-Victorian, early Art Nouveau Era specifics: early Art Nouveau  More »

Elegant and romantic Art Nouveau diamond engagement ring. Details: Country of origin: France Era: late-Victorian, early Art Nouveau Era specifics: early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau Era. Period: ca. 1900 Source of inspiration: love and romance Theme: Toi et Moi ring - The French call this shape of rings "Toi et Moi" which means "You and me". Material: 18K yellow gold and platinum Technique: Although the back of this jewel is in yellow gold, the diamonds are set in platinum. This finds it origin in a much older period where it was common for diamonds to be set in silver. Diamonds: Two old European cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of approx. 0.40 crt. and six rose cut diamonds . We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts. Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838. Condition: excellent condition Dimensions: length of top 2.05 cm (0.81 inch) Weight: 3.90 gram (2.51 dwt) Ring size US 6 and 3/4 Resizing: Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge). Item ID: 10190-4251   « Less

Rare antique Georgian gold rose cut diamond ring with enamel. Although being far from sure, the black enamel could point in the direction that this is a remembrance or  More »

Rare antique Georgian gold rose cut diamond ring with enamel. Although being far from sure, the black enamel could point in the direction that this is a remembrance or mourning ring. Details: Era: Georgian Period: ca. 1800 Condition: very good condition (the enamel has traces of wear, not uncommon for rings over 200 yrs old), but for the rest this ring is in outstanding condition. Diamonds: One big center and ten smaller rose cut diamonds. The rose cuts are set on foil . This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts. Material: Silver on top and backed with 18K yellow gold Hallmarks: Illegible remains Dimensions: diameter of top of ring 1,23 cm (0,48 inch) Weight: 3,80 gram (3,80 dwt) Ring size Continental: 59 & 18¾ , Size US 8¾ , Size UK: R Re-sizing: Free re-sizing, but because of the the way the ring is made, we cannot guarantee to make it on every size; so please ask in advance (only for extreme re-sizing we have to charge). Reference Nº: 13015-0033   « Less

This elegant dragonfly is suffused with all sorts of precious stones. Its long slender wings are set with no less then 38 old European cut diamonds 1.65 Carats and four  More »

This elegant dragonfly is suffused with all sorts of precious stones. Its long slender wings are set with no less then 38 old European cut diamonds 1.65 Carats and four beautiful rubies 1.60 Carats. It's a true shame that rubies are so hard to photograph because the true color of the rubies is much warmer then shown on the picture. Its body is set with a fresh green colored peridot while its sticklike tail is set with nine demantiods also called green garnets. This type of garnet is the most expensive of its group and the yellowish-green variety of demantoid that is used here is also called "olivine". A jewel like this is an absolute conversation piece and will attract a lot of attention while being worn. Brooch "Dragonfly" ref.06094-3223 diamonds, rubies, demantoids 18kt yellow gold, silver origin: most probably Belgium date: 1890-1900 wing's span: 6.43 cm (2.53 inch) weight: 15.90 grams   « Less