A Drop of Light

Large Déco Aquamarine Pendant with Diamonds in White Gold, circa 1930

€ 36,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Large Déco Aquamarine Pendant with Diamonds in White Gold, circa 1930

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Aquamarines are rarely found in 19th century jewellery, but in the Art Deco of the 1920s and 1930s they suddenly became very popular. On the one hand, the light blue variety of beryl complemented the cool, elegant fashion of those years, the strict geometries and white designs made of platinum and diamonds - but on the other hand, it was distinguished by the ability to shine particularly strongly in electric light and was thus the ideal stone for an era that shone in electric light like none before. The ability to shine in the glow of electricity is mentioned several times in the literature of the time: "The aquamarine and other bright varieties of beryl are stones which lose none of their brilliance at night," wrote Arthur Herbert Church in 1913, and "All beryls are very brilliant in artificial light and therefore desirable stones for the evening," added Helen Bartlett Bridgman in 1915. The large and precious pendant here is a showpiece of this era of bars and cabarets. Its showpiece is a large, beautifully clear aquamarine weighing about 113.0 carats, held in a setting of white gold with diamonds. The stone is cut in the so-called "briolet cut", which creates a faceted drop on all sides from the raw crystal. Incidentally, this blue gemstone takes its name from its resemblance to water - aqua marina is Latin for sea water. So it seems particularly resourceful that the aquamarine was cut into a drop here. The pendant has been crafted from the then new white gold and additionally rhodium plated so that the metal shines festively white. It comes with a detailed appraisal from the German Society for Gemstone Appraisal Idar-Oberstein. For dating purposes, we reproduce a pendant from the catalog of the Pforzheim manufactory F. Todt from the 1931/32 season. The above quotes translated from Arthur Herbert Church: Precious stones considered in their scientific and artistic relations. A guide to the Townshend collection, London 1913 and Helen Bartlett Bridgman: Gems, New York 1915.

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As a protective stone of seafarers, a gemstone of lovers or a stone that promises wisdom - for thousands of years aquamarine has been one of the most highly valued gemstones. Even in ancient times, people revered it for its brilliance and color, which evokes the sea and cloudless skies. According to tradition, it was also believed that the gemstone could appease the god of the sea, Poseidon: sailors therefore threw aquamarines overboard during wild storms to soothe the fury of the sea god. In the Middle Ages, aquamarines were placed in the reliquaries of saints, often as peepholes to look inside the goldsmith's work, because aquamarines are usually particularly pure and without inclusions. The brightest, whitest beryls were even used to cut eyeglass lenses from them - which is where our word for this comes from!

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Size & Details

A Drop of Light

€ 36,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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A Drop of Light

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