Antique 9ct Rose Gold Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire Crescent Sphere - Circa 1880-90
A superb piece of symbolic Victorian jewellery dating to the 19th century, circa 1880’s, in the form of a glorious large golden Sphere (or Orb).
Associated with female empowerment, crescent moon (and star) jewellery celebrated the feminine moon goddess, not only during the Georgian and Victorian eras, but dating back to ancient civilisations. As relevant today as it was centuries ago this charming piece evokes a romanticism given its addition of a diamond set star which can be associated with the symbolic “I love you to the Moon and back!”.
Crafted in 9ct rose gold this piece would have originally been **’bloomed’ (see below), however this has faded and been professionally polished with only traces remaining around the present and star.
Set to the Star is a stunning old Mine cut diamond, and to the crescent a further three Old Mine cut diamonds, interspersed with two old cut blue Sapphires and a single old cut Ruby.
Quite large at 1.8cm round, and with the top bale a lovely drop of 2.5cm, these rare examples present rarely to the market and are as coveted today as they were over 100 years ago.
WHAT IS BLOOMING?
Blooming, 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.
STONES
Diamond - Old Mine cuts
3 @ approx 2mm
2 @ approx 1.00mm
TDW estimated in settings - 0.10ct
Ruby - 1 @ 2.2mm Sapphire - 2 @ 2.2mm each
MEASUREMENTS
1.8cm Round
Drop with bale - 2.5cm
WEIGHT
3.57 Grams
MARKS
None
Tested as 9ct gold
CONDITION
Very good antique condition. No chips to any gemstones, under x10 loupe minuscule facet softening to Sapphires only. There are two shallow impressions to side and rear of sphere, hard to see when worn ( see video). This piece would originally have been ‘bloomed’ with a yellow gold finish, this has been polished back professionally we believe at some stage, remnants remain around the Star and Crescent - this is very hard to see with the naked eye due to the reflectivity of the sphere. Rare and gorgeous Victorian piece.
Laybys & Hold Policy
Do you have your eye on a fabulous piece but need some extra time to
pay? At Graisons, we offer suitable layby terms for pieces priced $400 AUD and above. Contact us for more details.
Purchase Guide & Refund Policy
For information regarding our Purchase Guide & Returns Policy, please click here
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.
We are currently shipping to the following international countries:
UK, USA, CANADA, SINGAPORE, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG.
PLEASE NOTE: Any duties imposed by countries for importing our items are the buyers responsibility. Please contact your local customs agency if you wish to discuss potential rates and fees.
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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