Rock Crystal Collectibles and Curiosities

A Rare Berlin Silver Gilt Mounted Rock Crystal and Enamel Pendant With a wax ‘Agnus Dei’ oval relief to the reverse Dated 1734 Attributed to the Fromery workshop (Berlin 1685 - 173...

18th century Italian silver and gold leaf crucifix adorned with baroque pearls and mounted on a mica cluster and a calcite crystal. The mica specimen is from the Great Smoky Mountain...

18th century Italian crucifix mounted on green malachite, calcite with fluorite, and raspberry garnet. The piece is adorned with Carnelian pebbles and garnet. The minerals are from a...

18th century Italian crucifix adorned with tourmaline and mounted on tourmaline in a crystal matrix from Brazil. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and c...

Sculptural 18th century Italian crucifix with selenite in matrix and adorned with gem beading around the cross. The selenite in matrix creates the sunrays around the crucifix. The pi...

18th Italian Baroque carved rock crystal crucifix with silver Corpus of Christ flaked by male and female attendants on either side. The stepped base decorated with silver mounts rest...

Pair Rock Crystal Gem Stone, Silver & Gilt 8 Bell Judaica Torah/ Rimonim Finials European, 1900s We are pleased to offer this stunning pair of European Judaica...

A Large Heart Shaped Rock Crystal Silver Mounted Reliquary Silver, Rock-Crystal, Polychrome Spain 17th Century SIZE: 9cm high, 7.5cm wide, 1.5cm deep - 3½ ins high, 3 ins wide, ⅔...

A Pair of Burmese Rock Crystal Reliquaries. Two Buddhist stupa shaped containers, one with a bulbous beggar’s bowl shaped body and the other with flanged cylinder form body. Each rel...

Antique 19th Century Austrian exceptionally rare solid silver gilt, enamel and rock crystal drinking horn, by Hermann Ratzersdorfer, Vienna, circa 1880s. The drinking horn is made of...

Mid-Century Modern pink and white Mineral Rock ashtray, catchall, vide poche or bowl made in Italy. Raw Rock Crystal hand carved in a geometric shape. Great as Ring Dish or Key Bowl...

Pyrite (FeS2, iron (II) disulfide) is the most abundant sulfide mineral in the world. It is found literally everywhere, in igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and in sedimentary rocks. It usually forms cubic crystals, with each crystal having six planes and razor-sharp corners and has a somewhat pale, coppery-yellow metallic luster. The ancient Greeks used pyrite to make fire. If you hit a piece of pyrite with a hard object, sparks will fly. Hence the name, πυρίτης (pyritēs) which means "for fire". For this reason the mineral was also popular for a while in the 16th and 17th centuries. Placing a piece of pyrite against a round file gave you just enough spark to fire a pistol of that era. Although pyrite is still primarily mined to make sulfuric acid, there have been more applications lately. For example, pyrite is found in Lithium batteries and the mineral is also increasingly used in solar panels. In the 1840'smMany of the inexperienced fortune hunters...

18th century Italian mecca processional cross on a calcite crystal base in matrix with coordinating baroque pearls. The calcite crystal cluster in matrix is from Elmwood Mine in T...

Bengt Hallberg Silver Ring with Rock Crystal, Mid-Century, Sweden, 1969. A big Mid-Century Modern silver and rock crystal ring, by Bengt Hallberg, Sweden, 1969. Marks: Bengt Hallberg makers mark, town mark from Köping, the Three Crowns of the Swedish coat of arms...

Collection 100 Rocks, Teaching Material, Italy 1950s Geology teaching board "Minerals and Rocks" G.B. Paravia Scientific Collection - Turin The ...

Victorian Essex Crystal Intaglio reverse painted pug ring, 10K. These rings were a novelty during the Victorian Period. Essex crystal cabochons were carved on...

Carved rock crystal column: Measures: 3.25" x 3.25" x 11".

18th century Italian sliver leaf and mecca cross adorned with gold and silver plated crystal points and mica mounted on a mica and tourmaline in calcite matrix base. The crucifix originally came from a church in Tuscany. The gold and silver plated crystal points replicate the original sunrays or halo around the cross. The piece is mounted on a mica and tourmaline cluster that is in a matrix of calcite. The mica holds a shimmery appearance that can reflect light - like nature's disco ball. It perfectly coordinates with the silver leaf and mecca painted cross...

Silverring with a brilliant cut rock crystal stone in the middle by Bengt Hallberg Guldsmed AB, Sweden 1967 The stone is embraced with a wheel sha...

A rock crystal natural specimen piece aka clear quartz, decorative object. Dimensions: 3.5" D x 4.25" W.  

19th century French marbleized painted crucifix with green mica. The crucifix originally came from a collector in France. The crucifix is painted ...

18th Century Italian tabernacle with aragonite. It is hand-painted and carved with scroll details and has been kept in its original condition. The t...

A large precious stone and silver-gilt flower model by Asprey. English, 20th century. Measures: 47cm high x 14cm wide x 12 cm depth. Crafted ...

Mughal - style Indian dagger. Made with rock crystal and inlaid gold. United Kingdom, late 19th century.

18th Century Italian cross adorned with native copper with crystals from White Pine Mine, Michigan and copper-plated kyanite on a crystal druzy in copper...

A natural mineral specimen for Wunderkammer. A pair of Apophyllite and white quartz druzes, mounted over carved wooden base, vase shape with l...

An Exquisite Italian Silver-Gilt, Diamond, Rock Crystal, and Rhodochrosite Vanity Mirror, by Moba Italy. Circa 1950 Very fine and impressive vanity mirror made in solid sterling gi...

Antique 19th century Austrian rare and unusual solid silver-gilt and enamel reliquary, pierced and decorated with multicolored enamels, sides set with carved rock crystal panels and ...

Virgin with Child enthroned. Boxwood, bronze and carved rock crystal. XIX century. On an upholstered base, another second base has been placed in bronze, the metal in which the throne is made. It stands on four low columns...

Sculptural 18th century Italian wood chalice decorated with calcite crystals in sphalerite on a Lucite base. The hand carved and painted chalice is from a...

Sterling silver modernist rock crystal set collar / necklace attributed to K.E. Palmberg for Alton Sweden. Stamped; Pege ALTON F for Falköping, S9 for 196...

18th century Italian crucifix with gold-plated kyanite, calcite crystals in matrix, and baroque pearls. The crucifix is originally from a church in Liguria. It is hand-carved and pai...

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...

Sculptural 18th century Italian gold leaf wood fragment figure of Christ (Florence) on calcite crystal cluster in matrix. The calcite crystal cluster is from Elmwood Mine, Tennesse...

About Since 1986 Dale has been sourcing the most unique fossils and minerals from around the world and through his company has been supplying leading interior designers and collector...

A fine and exquisite example of the designers work. The bag is signed and numbered 0089. Known for his elegant refinement the designer was born in 1939 and passed in 2014. Working in Rome and fully understanding the Mediterranean love of pure refinement his designs express a sublime play of luxury with simplicity. These small clutches are in demand the world over. Examples of his work can be found carried by the best-dressed women from the highest levels of society and in institutional collects such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London as well as a long list of other international museums and institutions too numerous to mention. Crafted completely by hand in Italy these are like fine small sculptures with no two being alike. The gems and stones used are examples of the lapidary art...

Scandinavian Modern silver necklace with highly textured surface and organic shaped openings. A round faceted quartz crystal adds a geometric detail. Designed by Isaac Cohen, Stockho...

A silver Scandinavian Modern pendant and chain with a geometric hexagonal design within a circle and detailed with six rock crystals. Made by Kultateollisuus KY Turku, Finland, 1972....

Scandinavian modern silver necklace on curved link chain and a rock crystal pendant. Designed by Alstrom, Stockholm, Sweden, 1960s. Chain length: 14...

Scandinavian modern silver and rock crystal bracelet with rock crystal by silversmith Waldemar Jonsson in Skara, Sweden, 1969. Measures: Diameter: 2.75". Height: 2".

A Scandinavian Modern silver necklace with a rounded rectangular pendant with a dramatic, mounted citron rock crystal. Designed by Birger Lindgren, 1967, Stockholm Sweden. Pendant: ...

This Arizona wood boasts rich colouration as a result of minerals entering the 235 million year-long fossilisation process. The polished wood is smooth and extremely durable. The pie...

18th century Italian brown and gilded cross adorned with smoky quartz crystals and druzy petrified wood. The smoky quartz crystals are from Madagascar and druzy petrified wood from t...

18th century Italian cross adorned with tangerine quartz crystals on a tangerine quartz and crystal cluster base. The crucifix originally came from a church in Tuscany. The crystal quartz points replicate the original sunrays or halo around the cross. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian cross is originally 18th century. The 18th century Italian cross has been preserved and transformed into a figurative, contemporary work of art. With the combination of the precious minerals, the church artifact...

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 spectacular large Nepalese stupa, of cast and repousse gilt bronze or copper alloy, 16th/17th century, Nepal. The magnificent stupa of traditional form, featuring a stylized lotus base supporting a large dome. A square structure, called a harmika, sits upon the dome. Each side of the harmika featuring engraved Buddha Eyes, also called Wisdom Eyes. Torana rise above each of the four sides. A tall spire, known as a yasti, rises from the squareharmika. Attached to the yasti are a set of thirteen graduated discs, known as chatras, giving the spire a tapered form. The chatras represent Bhumi, or the foundations that support the path to enlightenment. The spire is topped by another stylized lotus platform with a rising square pillar topped...

A rare enamel, gold and rock crystal figure of Emperor Maximilian I by Reinhold Vasters, Aachen, In the Renaissance style, circa 1870. The g...

Silver jewelry with round brilliant cut rock crystal. Salovaara, Åbo 1973. Neckline of sterling silver. Norway. Kultaseppä Salovaara was founded ...