Sweden - More Necklaces

Chain Necklace Silver Braided Unisex Vintage J DAUPHIN from 2007 Necklace: 20" long

Silver Braid Chain Necklace Vintage J DAUPHIN from 2007 Necklace: 20" long Unisex Style

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 18 karat gold neck-ring is adorned with a pendant with a drop-cut aquamarin. The front part of the neck-ring is decorated with carvings resembling the ancient Egyptian sacred wr...

A lovely brutalist vintage bronze necklace with a raw unpolished amethyst stone and original bronze chain by Pentti Sarpaneeva for Torun Hopea,...

Beautiful vintage bronze necklace with original bronze chain by designer Pentti Sarpaneva for Torun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural patina with n...

A circular and practical silver necklace in which can also be used as a brooch if you wish. This jewelry is made by Smycka Kumla (company established 1926, Sweden) in 1979. Nice pati...

Special black and brown patterned natur stone pendant on a silver chain by Stenlya Bengtsson & Co 1971 Sweden. The pendant stone has shatters of brown and black stone surrounded by a...

A lovely vintage bronze necklace with a polished amethyst stone and original bronze chain by Pentti Sarpaneeva for Torun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural pati...

Beautiful vintage Viking inspired bronze necklace - by designer Pentti Sarpaneva for Turun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural bronze patina with lovely decor. Stamped with Made in Finlan...

Lovely vintage triangle shaped bronze necklace with three small turquise green round decor stones in the middle. From Scandinavia in the 1970s. Unknown des...

Beautiful “Möbius” pendant by Torun Bülow-Hübe, on a cool rubber neckring. Torun’s classic design is inspired by geometrical forms and expresses an eye-cat...