Antique Australian 15ct Rose Gold ’Navette’ Garnet Pearl Ring By Mackay & Co Circa 1905

Quite the special little antique Australian ring by Queensland based jewellery firm MacKay & Co established in or around 1890, and hallmarked with their hallmark/stamp.

Crafted from bright lush 15ct rose gold and styled as a ‘navette’ or ‘marquise’ shaped  ring.

Navette is derived from the French for ‘little boat’ given the elongated post ended shape of this style of ring and ‘marquise’ is also often used and the term defines a ring with a cluster of gems set in the shape of a pointed oval or diamond shape.

This lovely and early example is set to the centre with a cabochon Garnet which is surrounded by tiny natural half seed Pearls.

Fancy bifurcated open shoulders support and compliment the main body of the ring perfectly and continuing on to a thick and solid half round shank.

Always a popular shape these navette shaped rings tend to flatter any hand and this one is no exception.

Add this quite hard to find antique maker to your Australian jewellery collection as rings by Mckay & Co don’t present them selves often.

HISTORY OF MACKAY & CO

Emigrating to Brisbane in 1884 David Mckay began his matchmaking and jewellery business in Queen Street Brisbane. By 1890 he’d established a brach in Cairns and by 1902 D. Mckay and Co. were retailing in Gladstone, Brisbane and Cairns and were also listed as manufacturing jeweller at 81 Adelaide Street.  Mackay have used their mark ’M’ on their jewellery since the foundation of their firm. 

Between 1920 and 1945 further branches were opened in Innisfail, Toowoomba and Warwick, and by the 1960’s there were over 100 employees.

Resource: Australian Jewellers, Gold & Silversmiths, Makers & Marks. Kenneth Cavill, Graham Cocks, Jack Grace

STONES
Garnet
Half Seed Pearl

MEASUREMENTS
1.57cm x 1.0cm- Diamond shape
Rise 4mm

WEIGHT
4.47 Grams

MARKS
15CT
‘M’ For Mackay & Co

SIZE
M 1/2 or approx 17mm diameter US6 1/2
Sizeable with care

CONDITION
Very very good antique condition.  No chips or abrasions to Garnet.  Shank and setting is strong and sturdy with no thinning.  Pearls all appear to be original, one at one end point may be a replacement, hard to tell.  Solidly made antique ring by one of our lesser known early jewellers.