Precious Stone Collectible Jewelry

For your consideration a vintage Native American Navajo sterling silver and turquoise bear paw cuff bracelet. The bear paw design is a significant motif in Native American culture, o...

Mid century 14K yellow and white gold ring statement ring Large cabochon carnelian stone condition very good Marked 14K Gold Origin: Netherlands Hallmarked Size 17.5 Very good condition

A stunning, one-of-a-kind engagement ring crafted by the most prestigious European goldsmiths. This three-stone ring, set in 18kt white gold and set with diamonds, is known as the Tr...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

A bespoken Mexican sterling silver and obsidian jewelry suite by Taxco silversmith Antonio Pineda post 1956. The set, sometimes known as cascading cre...

Boucheron silver and vermeil minaudière French, circa 1960 Measures: Minaudière: Height 2.5cm, width 13cm, depth 8.5cm Case: Height 4cm, width 18cm...

This authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord bracelet is finely crafted from 18k yellow gold featuring an intricate and detailed 3D sculpted full figure alligator, from the larger part with...

Vintage Native American 5-strand turquoise necklace. Heishi turquoise beads; sterling silver conical clasp. According to Palms Trading Co., "making of these beads requires immense sk...

This stunning early 20th century Continental 18K gold lapel pin is beautiful & is artistically crafted with a stylish clover motif suitable for eit...

A poudrier in bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1945, the name of this lovely compact box is called "Entrelacs et Noeuds" (interlaces and knots), which re...

Fine quality hand carved oval rose quartz pin brooch set in a 14K yellow gold frame. This is a vintage piece of estate jewelry circa 1910. The frame is an elegant thin oval setting w...

These four bead chains form a beautiful set, and could be worn as necklaces or used as an ornamental decoration. Remarkably, the beads are just shy of 1000 years old, and were crafte...

A beautifully designed ring with a multistone modern design. This ring is of 18-karat and set with stones of three colors which compliment each other. Ring has a modern Classic appe...

A gorgeous Brutalist bronze necklace with semiprecious stones by Pal Kepenyes. The necklace with 6 organic-shaped medals and 6 irregular semiprecious stones set by needle-shaped claw...

Binocular or hand-facing in brilliant white gold and emerald from the 19th century, no traces of goldsmith's hallmarks, yet the quality of the goldsmith's work is remarkable, work to...

A Dutch set blood coral and gold by Leesener, Amsterdam A set of a necklace and bracelet with red blood coral with gold lock. The necklace has 3 rows with red coral and gold lock ...

Scandinavian modern silver bracelet with oval tigers eye stone. Signed Pege, made by Alton, Sweden, 1966. Measures Diameter 2.5", height 75".

Elegant estate Diamond Pyramid Wedding Band Engagement Ring Friendship stunning Nine Diamond Marquise Set High Profile approximately 5.0 grams Yellow Gold 14kt and natural diamonds R...

Antique Art Deco Natural Diamond Cluster Ring Stunning diamond on a 14k yellow gold band. Art Deco diamond in a lovely cameo shape approximately 1 x .75 x .75 at 6.1 grams Preowned C...

Antique 19th century 18K gold sweetheart locket pendant with purple glass paste and natural certified diamonds and pearls In the center of the purple glass paste amethyst the letter ...

This stunning sparkling ladies diamond ring features three brilliant cut round diamonds prong set in a 14K white gold setting mounted on a 14K yellow gold band. The center diamond is...

This vintage ring features an oval red cabochon stone set in a sculptural mounting softly curved, wave-like bezel. The stone present a deep, saturated red with natural surface verifi...

A stunning handmade Moroccan Berber tribal pure silver bracelet. This beautiful and one of a kind piece of jewelry made around 1950's in the Atlas...

Prepare to be mesmerized in the dance of light on sterling and gems in this Matilde Poulat Gem-set Sterling Mirror. With plenty of artistry to devour, you'll get lost as you gaze int...

A sterling silver necklace with a turquoise color cabochon set in by Mexican silversmith Tane Orfebres circa 1960-1970s. The chain links were crafted in a modernist sculptural form w...

Art Deco ring, 1920s, with a row of 3 rose-cut and old-cut diamonds totaling approx. 1.52 ct, shank and setting crafted in platinum and 585/- white gold, ring size 55 A magnificent...

An authentic Roman Empire, Domitian (circa 76-77 AD), silver Denarius coin, minted in Rome, set in a custom 22-karat gold bezel with 22-karat gold bail with gold bead and diamond acc...