A charming and early piece by Australian jeweller Robert Rollason  1888—1925) Sydney,  one of Australia’s premier jewellery manufacturing firms.

Crafted from 15ct rose gold which has been gently *bloomed to give that beautiful rosy yellow combination of hues, and styled as an ornate crucifix with an applied raised floral sprig set with natural half seed Pearls and red faceted paste stones resembling garnets, and fine detailed engraving to each point of the crucifix.

Measuring a large 4.5cm x 3.5cm, this very attractive piece of antique Australian history is a collectors dream.

History of Blooming 

Blooming, a popular finishing technique for karat gold jewelry from 1870 to 1890, was first documented in 1853. The means for creating a bloom finish involved dipping a karat 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. This thin gold skin was dotted by an infinite number of microscopic pits or holes which caused the matte sheen. The effect is reminiscent of the soft skin found on a peach. Dipping the item into the boiling mixture was referred to as colouring, and  resulting sheen was termed bloom". 

(Credit Lang Antique University).

STONES
Natural Half Seed Pearl
Red paste (glass) 

MEASUREMENTS
4.5cm x 3.5cm

WEIGHT
4.70 Grams

MARKS
Back to back ‘RR’ for Robert Rollason
15ct

CONDITION
Very good antique condition. No dents or dings to front, there are a couple of dings to the verso.  All stones are original, no re-glues, just lovely.  Top ‘split’ ring is not gold, we have left it as is as it is large and accommodates a large gauge chain, dog clip etc. A lovely piece of Australiana.

HISTORY OF ROBERT ROLLASON,ROLLASON AND CO LTD 1888-1925 

The business founded in 1888 by Robert Rollason at 112 Kent street, Sydney, was to become one of the foremost manufacturers of gold Jewellery in Australia.  During the Federation period many Australian jewellery firms developed their manufacturing operations.  Of these, Robert Rollason had moved to Castlereagh Street in 1896; by 1907 the firm had become Rollason and Co. and then in 1910 Rollason and Co. Let, still located at 119-121 Castlereagh Street.

Towards the end of 1922, the company moved to new and enlarged premises at 112-114 Crown Street.