A garnet doublet is a made by fusing a thin slice of natural garnet to a colored glass base. Developed in the mid-19th century, the technique allowed jewelers to create ultra-saturated stones at a fraction of the cost of natural gems. Green was the most popular hue, as fine emeralds of any size were rare and expensive. The garnet cap provides hardness and brilliance that gives a "real stone, not glass" realism, and the colored glass below provides vivid, almost electric color. Surround a green garnet doublet with 32 rose cut diamonds and the effect is very convincing. French hallmarks include the owl import mark and the swan mark for silver.
thedetails
- Materials
18k gold (marked), silver, 32 rose cut diamonds (2mm - 2.5mm), 10.2mm x 8.3mm green garnet doublet
- Age
c. 1900
- Condition
Very good - table faceted has a few fine scratches; French hallmarks
- Size
6.75, can be resized; 1" x 5/8" head
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Aboutthe
EdwardianEra
1900 — 1910
The jewelry tended toward airy lightness, often in the form of lacy filigree. The world was changing rapidly, but lots of the jewelry still reflected the Victorian ideals of decorum and femininity. Ancient Roman and Greek influences remained popular. “White” jewelry became popular as plentiful deposits of platinum were discovered in Russia and improved smelting technology made it possible for jewelers to work in the noble metal. Platinum was seldom used by jewelers in earlier years owing both to its scarcity and high melting point. The jewelry trade took advantage of its rigid strength to create opulent openwork settings for increasingly brilliant diamonds. The old European cut was perfected, rounder and squatter than old mine. This took stone-cutting one step closer to the mathematically perfect round brilliant cut, which is the most popular diamond cut today. The now-iconic square Asscher cut was patented in 1902. Hot on the heels of platinum, the alloy mixture that produces white gold was formulated and patented in 1915 in New York City. With Europe in the grip of WW1, the American jewelry industry was poised to become a world leader and innovator.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.