Antique Victorian 11ct Gold And Garnet Snake Earrings Circa 1880
Dating to the Victorian era this wonderful pair of ’Serpent’ earrings are simply superb.
Crafted from gold which has been tested via X-Ray fluorescence as 11ct and 'bloomed’ or ‘coloured’ to give a rich higher carat gold colour.
Designed as earrings with shepherd hooks for pierced ears with a round cabochon Garnet to an articulated drop supporting a coiled Snake, mouth open, holding a small loop to which a large pear-cut cabochon Garnet is suspended below.
The Garnets are lush, deep and plummy red showing under loupe magnification just the right amount of natural Garnet inclusions expected in early carbuncle Garnets!
Lovely and long dropping 4.7cm from the ear and and dancing beautifully with movement given the articulation.
HISTORY OF BLOOMING/COLOURING
Blooming, also known as colouring, was a technique first documented in 1853. The process involved dipping a gold item into a boiling mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) and hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), salt and water.
This mixture burned off any alloys on the surface of the gold resulting in an alloy free thin layer of soft pure gold. This thin skin of pure gold gives a matte finish. The term ‘colouring’ referred to the dipping technique and ‘blooming’ is the term for the resulting finish. Popular during the years 1870 - 1890.
STONES
Garnet
2 @ approximately 5.0mm each or 0.50ct each
2 @ approximately 16.0mm x 7.0mm or 5.0ct each
ERA
Victorian 1837 - 1901
MEASUREMENTS
Drop from ear 4.7cm
Snake - 1.5cm x 1.3cm
WEIGHT
6.8 Grams
MARKS
None
Tested with XRF as 11ct
CONDITION
Very good antique condition. Ear wires are strong, long at the back and firm. No chips or abrasions to Garnets. Claws original and secure. One tiny stress fracture to gold at the rear coil of the snake at the back, insignificant, does not affect strength.
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pay? At Graisons, we offer suitable layby terms for pieces priced $400 AUD and above. Contact us for more details.
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Shipping & Delivery
Free Complimentary Express Shipping: Australia & Select International Countries.
We are pleased to offer free complimentary express postage, fully insured with tracking and signature on delivery using Australia Post.
For all international purchases, a third party postal company will complete the final stage of delivery.
Orders are dispatched within one-two business days of purchase. Once complete, a tracking number will be forwarded to you via email notification.
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UK, USA, CANADA, SINGAPORE, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG.
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Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery
We absolutely pride ourselves on sourcing the best quality pieces for our customers, with many of our items valued by our registered jeweller/gemologist.
Our collection consists of pieces that are of antique and vintage condition, which means that all our items are secondhand and used. Customers are not purchasing 'new', 'perfect' and 'unworn items', and as such, should expect wear and imperfection. Any condition issues are always extensively mentioned in the condition summary.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions prior to purchase. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that these descriptions and pictures are carefully viewed and any questions are asked prior to the transaction taking place.
Please refer to our guide, Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery for more details.
Your Purchase: What Is Included?
Your purchase will be lovingly packaged in our custom made, eco-friendly Graisons Fine Jewellery Jewel box tied with ribbon inside our custom made packaging/mailing box.
For added safety and security, all purchases are shipped inside an Australia Post medium sized mailing box.
If your item includes an independent valuation, the physical certificate will be included.
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