We have similar Turquoise items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Turquoise" under our auction items.
Due to an increase in unpaid items and cancellations, we are now enforcing eBay’s “Unpaid Item” policy. Their policy states, “If you've placed a winning bid or clicked the Buy It Now button in a listing, you've committed to purchasing that item. If you don't pay for it, even if you've changed your mind, you violate the unpaid item policy.” If you choose to not pay for, or cancel, an item, we will open an unpaid item case against you and work with eBay to have your buying privileges revoked. We are a small business and it is unfair for us to suffer losses each week due to customers changing their minds or not reading the full description of an item. Before bidding, please make sure you have read through the listing, considered any shipping or import/duty charges, and are willing to pay your high bid. Thank you for your understanding!
The Piece
Auction Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Age Circa: Georgian C. 1714 - 1837
Markings: Unmarked, Tested, and Guaranteed
Country of Origin: Unknown
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight: 7.6 Grams
Metal Type: 18k Yellow Gold, 14k Rose Gold Replacement Clasp
Metal Melt Value: $245.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material: Enamel
Main Stone: Persian Turquoise
Main Stone Measurements/Color: Approximately 0.33 Carats, Varying shades of vibrant blue hues
Accent Stone: Seed Pearl
Accent Stone Measurements/Color: 1.72 mm diameter, Lustrous white hue
Stone Treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts: Carved and Polished Cabochon Persian Turquoise, Naturally Off Round and Polished Seed Pearls
Item Measurements: The necklace has a wearable length 14.25".
Closure/Clasp Type: Push-in Tube Clasp
Link Type: Specialty Repousse Chain
Pendant Type: Lavaliere Pendant
Notable Features: This necklace was handmade in the Georgian era. Composed of 18k yellow gold, this beautiful necklace features Persian turquoise stones, seed pearls, and enamel detailing. A fascinating piece of history, this necklace was most likely worn as daytime jewelry during the Georgian era, when many pieces of jewelry were designed specifically to be worn at certain times of the day. High karat gold was extremely popular, with very few pieces being less than 18k, and turquoise was typically used in jewelry to be worn during the daytime, as were seed pearls. In addition to its classic Georgian elements, this necklace also exemplifies the Rococo Revival movement of the early to mid 18th century, which saw a resurgence in the jewelry styles and designs popular during the Renaissance.
The yellow gold best exemplifies the Rococo style, as it forms the repousse specialty link chain, as well as the lavaliere style pendant. The gold designs consist of curling, foliate patterns, which are entirely asymmetrical, as so many jewelry designs in this style are. These elegant patterns move naturally into each other, creating a flowing effect for the eye to follow. On the face of the asymmetrical pendant are Persian turquoise stones and seed pearls, also arranged in an organic but asymmetrical design. The Persian turquoise, which appears in various hues of blue, forms a border around the lustrous, white seed pearls, contrasting beautifully against their pale color. Dangling from the base of the pendant is a small, blue enamel heart accent with a five-pointed star motif on its face.
Completing the necklace is a 14k rose gold push-in tube clasp, which was added to the piece during the Victorian era. When worn, this necklace sits above the collarbone in the choker style on most people, with the repousse links and pendant lying flat against the neck. Georgian jewelry, especially jewelry in wearable condition, is exceedingly rare, making this necklace a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to preserve this stunning piece of history.
Damage: Age appropriate wear. There is some minor denting, as well as evidence of gold repairs to the backside of the pendant and repousse chain; however, these are hardly noticeable and do not affect wear. The original clasp was replaced during the Victorian era with a 14k rose gold clasp, which does not affect the overall appearance of the piece.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Georgian era is known for its hand-crafted designs, which were heavily influenced by world exploration. A few signatures of this era were high karat gold, cameos, chatelaine accessories, foil-backed stones, rivière necklaces, memento mori, and mourning jewelry, and rose and mine cut diamonds. While the jewelry from this era began to see designs from all over the world, jewelry from abroad was still very expensive to acquire due to sea travel. Between age and difficulty of acquirement, jewelry from the Georgian era is a rare find and an amazing piece of history.
The late Baroque or Rococo period prevailed in the 18th century. The period was known for its strong use of asymmetrical designs, curves, gold, and witty, whimsical themes. Both men and women at court wore sparkling gemstones set in gold during this period, as well as colorless glass pastes and pearls. Colored gems were often highly foiled behind them to enhance the depth of color. Jewelry was often created with naturalistic, floral designs. Rococo jewelry also featured embossed and engraved floral and feather designs on metal.
Lavalieres are necklaces that include a fairly long chain or small link necklace, that ends in a single large pendant or tassel, which in turn often has additional pendants or tassels dangling from it. Though named for a mistress of Louis XIV, the style is usually associated with turn-of-the-20th-century jewelry and remained popular into the 1930s.
Repoussé began as an ancient metalworking technique dating as far back as the 3rd century BC, involving malleable metal that was hammered onto the reverse side to create an image on the front. Examples are found all over the world; Greece, Egypt, and even the Hopewell periods in the American southeast. Reverse side hammering was also used to add detail to the front, creating intricate patterns using grooves, indentations, and channeling. The piece was then carefully polished to create a hollow, eye-catching treasure.
Enameling originally dates all the way back to the ancient Persians of Meenakari. The technique involves bonding powdered glass to a base, usually gold, by firing (heating and melting the glass onto the metal). The glass hardens to form a layer of pigment over the metal. Enamel is made of colored powdered glass or may include clear powdered glass that is mixed with colorful metallic pigments. It was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Celts; and later the Chinese and Georgians. It resurged in popularity in the 20th century. It is primarily used on decorative art or jewelry, usually small in size. Besides jewelry, enamel can also be applied to glass, ceramic, stone, and various other materials.
Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing.
Persian turquoise is a highly coveted stone that has been mined for thousands of years in what is now modern-day Iran; even as early as 2100 BC. The most coveted type of Persian Turquoise is a solid bright sky-blue hue that has no shades of green, spots, or veining of any kind. Antique Persian turquoise was very difficult to source, as it had to be shipped across the ocean, which carried a hefty price tag. Today, Persian turquoise is found in a variety of light to medium blue and aqua blue hues with brown to black matrix.
Seed pearls occur naturally and are used most often as a decorative border, as tiny accents in small patterns, or in larger clusters woven together to make up an entire piece of jewelry. They are normally less than 2 mm in diameter. They were imported from India and China and carried a hefty price tag due to this. Seed Pearl jewelry was used often for special occasions such as weddings, Mary Todd Lincoln received a seed pearl parure for Lincoln's inauguration.
