Georgian Revival by way of the mid 20th century! (1960's-ish). The focus here is a luminous cat's eye chrysoberyl cabochon, a gemstone prized for the bright shifting band of light that gives it an uncanny, watchful effect. It's framed by rose cut diamonds in collet style settings we associate with Georgian jewelry, but a few details give away its later origins. The open back behind the main stone wouldn't have been done in the 1820s, and a raised crown letting in light? Nope. Not a Georgian thing. The sharp square-edged split shoulders are another clue to its circa 1960 date. But what a LOOK! In a few decades (1980's) we'd be seeing full-on Gothic, Edwardian and Victorian revival styles.
thedetails
- Materials
14k gold (tests), 16.5mm x 8.5mm cat's eye chrysoberyl cabochon, 28 1.5mm rose cut diamonds
- Age
c. 1960
- Condition
Very good
- Size
6.5, can be resized; 7/8" x 1/2" head, 2mm shank
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Aboutthe
RetroEra
1935 — 1945
Platinum was reserved for military use, so jewelers began relying heavily on gold and experimenting with colored alloys and different finishes. Retro jewelry designs are marked by asymmetry, motifs borrowed from industrial design, and exaggerated scale. Thanks to a hugely successful advertising campaign begun in the 1940s and funded by De Beers, the phrase “a diamond is forever” was coined and diamond rings were touted as the ONLY acceptable type of engagement ring. Carefully worded ads instructed men on how to choose a stone, and what to spend (“two months salary!”). The Gemological Institute of America developed the so-called “4Cs” of diamond grading, which was a scientific system for measuring the color, clarity, cut and carat weight of every single diamond. The costume jewelry industry, having only been established a few decades before, began to flourish. Centered in Providence, Rhode Island, and surrounding New England towns, companies like Trifari, Monet, Hobe, and Vendome prospered as consumers gobbled up inexpensive machine-made jewels.
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.