Antique 19th century Gold Necklace English Circa 1860

Antique 19th century Muff Chain, English C.1890. The 9ct chain with intertwining open links, suspending gold swivel stamped 9ct. Length approximately: 56 inc...

Antique Victorian 15K gold brooch, English C.1870. The brooch centering a dome with estruscan decoration surround of bead rondelle circlets and outer star border. Locket to reverse. ...

Antique 18K etruscan tassel drop Earrings, English C.1860. The Earrings surmounted with sphere with granular etruscan bead wire work and a drop of nine graduated drop bead tassels. L...

Gold Pietra Dura Brooch Pin, Italy C.1875. The elongated shape, fine pietra dura floral white and green flower inlay colors, the surround gold rope ...

Sterling hand-wrought flexible large chevron and silver sphere Necklace and matching Bracelet, possibly South American C.1950. The links of chevron groove design, each accented and c...

1970’s Georg Jensen Bent Gabrielsen long chain necklace. Paperclip design with hammered finish on each link. Design number 195A. Over the head neck...

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...

A mid-19th century gold and enamel snake necklace, formed of an articulated body with a head set with blue enamel, pearls and rubies.

A lovely 14k gold link choker from the Victorian era, fitted with a period gold-filled cylindrical clasp. 19th century 16 1/2 ( cm) long; the links 1/8 in. ( cm) wide.

This is a gorgeous and very rare original Antique 14 Karat Gold Etruscan Revival Victorian - Belle Epoque Necklace of great beauty. The necklace is 18 inches long. The Etruscan jew...

An early 19th century shell cameo necklace, the shell cameos set in gold cannetille mounts with pellet decoration, necklace 46cm long Weight:50.5gr.

A beautiful antique necklace made in the second half of the 19th c. It is made of gilt silver and has 36 amethysts going from smaller to larger and then smaller again. The design of ...