Steel Link Necklaces

--Stone(s):-- (16) Natural Genuine Citrine - Oval Cut - Bezel Set - Translucent Light Orange Color - 5.5x4.3mm (approx.) Material: 18k Solid Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Material W...

Iconic Art Deco Marsh & Co necklace, set in signature blackened steel, with gold accent links, adorned with 4.5mm pearls and approx. 0.80ctw in G/VS diamonds. The necklace is 16" lon...

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...

Everyone needs a bit of steel and you will have more than enough when wearing this Bulgari modernist necklace. With 18 karat yellow gold curb links, interspersed with 16 blackened s...

A rare vintage c1970s brutalist statement necklace. Huge oversized imperfect Steel links attached to a belcher link steel chain. This is such a robust statement piece that it will ...

Everyone needs a bit of steel and you will have more than enough when wearing this Bulgari modernist necklace. With 18 karat yellow gold curb links, interspersed with 16 blackened s...

Clover Necklace hand-fabricated by renowned jewelry maker Sarah Graham in a combination of 18k rose gold, 18k white gold, and the artist's signature cobalt chrome, intricately built ...

This fabulous Bulgari Long Sautoir Necklace features a chain design accented with 7 Bvlgari-inscpired Tondo Sun motifs crafted in 18k yellow gold and stainless steel. Made in Italy c...

A bold 'Trika' necklet in 18 karat yellow gold and stainless steel by Bulgari. The articulated 'collar' style necklet is a known design called 'Trika' by the famed Italian jeweller a...

This striking necklace features black druzy quartz with titanium oxide deposits set as a large, round pendant with 14k white gold accents. Sugary c...

This unusual charm necklace is made of blackened steel and features 5 Mediterranean coral beads that have been hand carved into happy Buddhas and deities. Set with shiny black onyx b...

Circa 1980's, 18K yellow gold and stainless steel. Cabochon semi- precious gemstones: light pink tourmaline, amethyst, pink tourmaline, green peridot and citrine. The necklace is si...