Vintage Continental 14k Gold Enamel Lavalier Pendant with Seed Pearls

This piece is so special and so rare: it dates to the Victorian era, more specifically the 1860s, and was likely made in Britain. It is crafted from vulcanite and features a teardrop shape with a high relief bunch of grapes in intricate detail, surrounded by a border of carved beads, strung on a fine black ribbon, to be worn as choker. (I love it strung on the Victorian Jet Choker pictured, which is also available in my shop.) The vulcanite has this truly stunning, relatively matte finish, with a rich warm glow— it's just so unique and unlike any other material. What is vulcanite? It is made by combining the sap of the Euphorbia or Ficus trees from Malaysia, with sulphur. It was originally invented in 1843 by Thomas Hancock. His timing just happened to be spot-on: black had long been considered essential to mourning jewelry and mourning dress, but thanks to Queen Victoria's extended 40 years of grieving (for her husband, Prince Albert), from about 1860-1890, black was considered a highly fashionable color, and began to be worn outside mourning dress. During this period, vulcanite became a very fashionable material for jewelry, and it loaned objects that gothic, romantic, dramatic black cast that Victorians just loved. Victorian mourning jewelry is rife with grape motifs; for one, grapes were a symbols of Christ (as wine is the blood of Christ). On Victorian grave markers, a cluster of grapes typically means that the deceased was of mature years. Victorians are well known for using flowers and botanicals as a means of communication. Wild grapes, according to The Language of Flowers published in 1913, are symbols of Charity, a favorite Victorian theme. NOTE: The Victorian Hair Mourning...

This antique mother of pearl Gobbo charm is a powerful talisman; if you're not familiar with Gobbo charms, they are thought to offer the same protection and good luck as the ubiquito...

This vintage fish pendant is such a wonderful piece to collect, or gift. The idea of fish as good luck exists in many cultures but most likely has its origins in China, where the character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for surplus (yu 余), thus the connection between fish and prosperity. Also, Pisces friends, this little fish is especially perfect for you! The figural fish is beautifully articulated, so the body moves— almost like magic! I love that he has a red stone for his eye. The color of the metal is very iridescent, with tones of both gold and silver, so it works on a chain of any tone, and is easy to mix with other jewelry. Measures 34 mm total with bales; the actual fish is 27 mm long. The pendant is sold individually, or a chain can be added if you need one; please contact me if you would like a chain. * The Vintage 14k Gold Jade Fish Pendant...

This utterly huge vintage gold cross is such a statement piece— it's giving vintage Dolce & Gabbana vibes, and I'm here for it. It features sculptur...

VERY BREEZY presents: This pendant is crafted from a genuine auger seashell, and mounted with a gold-toned metal bail. It was sourced in Italy, and I love to imagine the adventures i...

There is something so magical to me about vintage and antique cameos: the way the portraits are rendered in such incredible detail seems to tell a person's mystery. This cameo is carved from genuine shell with such impressive precision, and it's set in solid 18k gold. It is both a pendant, and a brooch; the pin back is not visible when it's worn as a pendant, and I love the way the bail dangles down and disappears when it's worn as brooch, making it truly two pieces in one. It was likely made in the 1930s, but it's also possible that the cameo itself was made even earlier, and the brooch fastener was later added around the 1930s or 1940s. This cameo depicts a Spanish woman, wearing a mantilla comb...

A stunning round brilliant cut diamond pendant with diamond surround set in platinum. The center diamond weighs 2.02 carats, is assessed as D color and SI1 clarity via GIA certificat...

18 karat white gold chain necklace with rectangular pendant diamonds and four round diamonds The pendant has five baguette cut diamonds and 28 round cut diamonds all around The chai...

Chain necklace in 18 karat white gold and five drop pendant with diamonds Total diamonds weight: 0.85 carat Total length: 45 cm / 17.7 inch The necklace has an additional ring for d...

This is an extraordinary, one of a kind Siberian Amethyst at 28ct set in an 18ct yellow gold coral reef mount with 5 diamonds. The pendant is suspended on an 18ct yellow gold 16” Fox...

This breath-taking Aquamarine from Brazil is 79.48 cts mounted is the star of Esther Eyre's 'Reef Collection'. It's 18ct white gold coral setting is scattered with diamonds (total 0....

Etoilé pendant made in sterling silver with blue topaz centre and baroque pearl drop suspended from a silver chain with pearl and aquamarine bead spacers. Also available in 18 carat ...