"Ring & Connector" Chain, 16.5" Long in Hammered 18K Gold with Oversized Clasp

This unusual chain is a segment from an 18 karat gold 40" long necklace that one of our customers inherited from a great-great-great-blah-blah aunt. We know it's European, because her people immigrated from Poland, and we know it's at least a hundred years old (by the number of "greats" in front of the distant aunt) but that's about it. The mark on the original clasp just says "18K," with no tasty hallmarks to help with identification. We've never seen a chain like this. It resembles a book chain, but the construction is different. Basically, it's two lengths of rolo-style cable chain connected to each other by horizontal oval loops with links on each end. It's got great, loose-snaky movement, and every other center loop has been stamped with a bubbly pattern, just to give it a little more visual oomph. We're going to cut this chain down for various projects because it doesn't really work as a necklace. (It's the kind of thing you'd wear with your metals of office, which you don't have, and neither does anyone else.) Project numero uno is this one-of-a-kind, absolutely unique bracelet, which combines the chain with a fantastic vintage 14 karat box clasp, salvaged from an ugly bead bracelet, that's been sitting around the shop just waiting for this chain to come along. It's a big oval box clasp set with a chewy chrysoprase cabochon, nicely cut, great color, and about 15 carats. The clasp is stamped "585" and "14" on the back, along with the maker's mark (MG) for Manchu Gems, which was a Hong Kong jeweler that produced a lot of distinctively "oriental" jade, coral and chrysoprase jewelry...

Many of our customers bring us their old jewelry to be melted down so that we can apply the scrap gold credit to the price of their new custom pieces by Eytan Brandes. During this process, Eytan plucks out the precious stones and sorts them according to a system nobody but he understands. This ring was fashioned by Eytan specifically to use up his pile of extracted yellow diamonds, all taken from various pre-owned pieces over a period of around 25 years. They're in various shades ranging from pale yellow to fancy yellow to golden yellow-brown. (And there's two small champagne-colored diamonds thrown in the mix, just to keep everyone on their toes.) This is a mish-mash of round stones -- all different sizes, colors and clarities. Most are full (i.e., brilliant) cut, but a few are mixed cuts. They're pavé-set on an oxidized (black) landscape over the slightly concave front of a naturalistic and freeform 18 karat yellow gold ring. Eytan calls it his Lava Pool ring...

This is the second time we've cast this pendant -- an original design by Eytan Brandes. It depicts two amorous snakes slithering together to form a heart while they chomp happily on...

This funky, one-of-a-kind pendant features an unusual and very baroque green Tahitian pearl. Eytan Brandes played up the pearl's unique silhouette with vintage components -- rose ...

10.45 carats Diamond Tennis Necklace in 18k White Gold Diamond Tennis Necklace in 18k White Gold features 147 Round Brilliant Diamonds weighing 10.45 carats in total, all 3 prong ba...

Vintage Gold Coin Necklace 18k Yellow Gold 16.5" Chain with Diamonds This elegant necklace offers a refined blend of heritage and luxury. At its center is an intricately detailed go...

For sale is this royal sautoir necklace. This 69,5 cm long necklace is crafted in 18 karat patina yellow gold and therefore turned somewhat orangy, buttery gold coloured. This elegan...

Gemstone Information: - Natural Diamonds - Total Carats - 0.40ctw Cut - Round Brilliant Color - F - G Clarity - VS2 - SI1 Metal: 18k White Gold Weight: 11 Grams Stamps: 18k Style: ...