Please note, chains are for display only unless otherwise stated.

A fine piece of antique Australian jewellery dating to the early 20th century circa 1910, by one of our early firms - A. Benjamin and Sons.

Crafted from 9ct rose gold with simply stunning *blooming over to give a rich and matt yellow gold hue, and allowing the superbly engraved patterning to shine thorough with the underlying rosey hued gold, the effect is strikingly beautiful.

Designed as a traditional Cross in two dimensions form, with the apples and raised ornate central motif set with three small round faced Garnets, and the arms set with two natural half seed Pearls in tulip type settings.

Plain and unadorned to the verso - can be worn to the reverse if desired - and bearing A. Benjamin and Sons trademark symbol of a ‘Bee’, 9 for 9ct and the ‘Wheatsheaf’ symbol used by members of the Manufacturing Jewellers Association of Victoria (MJAV) formed in 1889.

A poignant and symbolic piece of early Australian history longing to be worn, loved and treasured as a family heirloom once again.

STONES
Garnet
3 x tiny faceted (tested) Garnets 

MEASUREMENTS
Drop including top ring - 4.2cm x 3.0cm

ERA
Edwardian 1901-1915

WEIGHT
2.90 Grams

MARKS
‘Bee’ symbol used by Abraham Benjamin, A. Benjamin and Sons
‘9’ For 9ct gold
‘Wheatsheaf’ used by members of the Manufacturing Jewellers Association Victoria / guarantee mark for 9ct gold 

CONDITION
Excellent antique condition.  A very nice example with lovely ‘blooming’, no dents or dings, just some minor marks to back.  All the Garnets and Pearls are original with no chips or replacements and non re-glues, and are well set and secure.  No issues to note.

HISTORY OF ABRAHAM BENJAMIN

The firm of P. Flak and Co., wholesalers, importers and manufacturing jewellers, involved four partners - Philip and Silas Falk in Birmingham England, Salis Schlank in Adelaide and Abraham Benjamin in Melbourne.  In 1887 this partnership was dissolved .  With the dissolution of the partnership Abraham Benjamin founded his own business at Carson Place.  

By 1903 the firm had become A. Benjamin and Sons Pty Ltd.  Members of the M.J.A. of Victoria from the time of its inception in 1889, their mark/symbol, a ‘BEE’ is found in conjunction with the Associations guarantee marks.  

WHAT IS BLOOMING?

Blooming was a popular finishing technique for karat gold jewellery from 1870 to 1890, was first documented in 1853. The means for creating a bloom finish involved dipping a gold item into a boiling mixture of hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), saltpeter (potassium nitrate), salt and water. This process burned off any alloys on the surface resulting in an alloy-free, thin layer of soft, pure gold on the item.