Early 1800s Dangle Earrings

Red Garnet Love Antique Georgian period, 1800 ca, beautiful necklace made during the time of solid 12 Kt gold Comprising a riviere necklace with a centrepiece in the shape of a flower with suspended finial, close back setting as for Georgian tradition, with approx 53.00 Ct of natural Almandine Garnets flat cut, firey and sparkly Necklace is 43 cm in length, clasp is 15 x 17 mm. – central is 27 x 55 mm. (h. x w.) Very good condition keeping with age Georgian Garnet jewellery...

Classic emerald and diamond dangle earrings that are a great addition to your jewelry collection. The earrings are made of 14 karat (tested) yellow gold and silver and feature caboch...

YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage necklace and earrings (clip-on) set embellished with large irregular half faux pearls in a gold toned foliage setting. NECKLACE Marked Marked YVES SAINT L...

These gorgeous Statement Amethyst Cluster Dangle Drop Wedding Earrings are crafted from the finest material and adorned with dazzling amethyst gemstone which encourages clear thinkin...

A crowning glory of design, this cut steel necklace shimmers like diamonds, in available light as it did originally in the early 1800's. Serves dressy occasions or denim shirts and b...

BALENCIAGA vintage matte gold toned necklace and earrings set featuring spirals. NECKLACE Spring closure. Marked BALENCIAGA Paris Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. leng...

Absolutely superb example of Georgian cut steel. The way it sparkles and catches the light is just beautiful. This necklace sits perfectly flat and ...

Antique Georgian Diamond and Pearl Dangle Earrings. Rare and ravishing Georgian era pair of earrings. Hand fabricated in silver over gold da...

A breathtaking pair of emerald and diamond earrings from the Victorian (ca1880) era! Made of 15kt yellow gold, indicating they were made in Europe, with silver diamond settings, each...

Explosive deep blue and Green Enamel Jewelry set of pure Sterling silver . This vintage set consists of a clear blue and light green enamel necklace...

Cut steel jewelry was at the height of fashion from the mid 1700s well into the 19th century. Originated in the 1700s. Popular from the Georgian through the Victorian eras. To make cut steel, melted horseshoe nails were formed into tiny faceted beads. Those small steel gemstone-like studs were then riveted one-by-one onto a base plate. It was an English invention that quickly travelled throughout the world. Each stud could have up to 15 facets, and in general the finer and older the piece the more facets the studs will have. Improvements in candles meant that grand events and entertaining could take place at night. As diamonds are diamonds and not available for everyone, and everyone wanted to shine, the popularity grew. Cut-steel provided a stylish and popular new jewelry material that could be enjoyed by everyone at all levels of society. It grew beyond a simple imitation to an art in its own right. The manufacturing was complex and the workmanship that was required highly skilled. These were not mass produced objects. The studs were made from decarbonated cast steel, which was case-hardened, then the studs were faceted by cutting against a pewter wheel. Next were then polished with first fine emery and a hard brush, and then by hand with a special putty. Finally they were riveted onto pierced base plates which had to be drilled and cut by hand, too. The main place of cut steel production was Birmingham, England. And there, one manufacturer stood out from all the rest: Matthew Boulton. He had been born in 1728 into the industry — his father manufactured small metal products. But the younger Boulton had a special talent for marrying the latest technology with the latest fashion. He also was continually expanding — he even founded a mint. He wined and dined with dignitaries and advocated for his steel products. Fortuitously, he became quite close with the Russian ambassador to Catherine the Great. When the ambassador toured the mint, Boulton made sure to send the Empress some of his cut-steel necklaces. In 1759, Louis XV “encouraged” the nobility to donate their gold and gemstone jewelry to help fund the Seven Years War. The popularity of cut steel in France may in part have been due to these sumptuary laws which limited who could wear precious metals and diamonds. Either you complied with the law and gave up your family jewels to be melted down for the war chest...

This stunning set of a signed necklace and earrings was made by a fabulous artisan jeweler who studied at The Rhode Island School of Design. His name is Andrew Springarn. He only wor...