Antique Australian 9ct Gold And Garnet Crucifix By (Robert) Rollason And Co. Ltd  Circa 1910

Utterly charming antique crucifix dating to the first decade of the 20th century by Robert Rollason - Sydney (1888-1925).

Crafted from 9ct rose gold which has been ** bloomed to give that lovely matte high gold finish we all love to see in our antique pieces.

Styled as a traction crucifix with a ‘gypsy’ star set faceted round Garnet to the centre and intricate detailing got all four arms of the cross which allows the 9ct rose gold to glimmer through providing a lovely contrast with the higher carat blooming.

Hallmarked to the verso with Rollasons’ hallmark, this all original early piece of Aussie history is simply delightful.

HISTORY OF ROBERT ROLLASON

Robert Rollason founded his business in 1888 at 112 Kent street Sydney and was to become one of the foremost jewellery manufacturers in Australia.
By 1896 he moved his manufacturing to Castlereagh Street and by 1907 the firm chased their name to Rollason and Co and in 1910 Rollason and Co. Ltd.
Manufacturing a large range of gold and gem set jewellery, vesta and sovereign cases, chains and Albert watch chains the company moved to a larger premises at 112-114 Crown Street in 1922.

Two of their best chain makers Frederick Mountford and Henri Belle both went on to establish their own businesses in Sydney.

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 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.

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
Garnet

MEASUREMENTS
4cm x 2.5cm Without round rump ring

WEIGHT
2.58 Grams

MARKS
Fully hallmarked with Rollasons symbol, ‘R’ and 9

CONDITION
Very good antique condition.  Garnet has no chips or abrasions and is original.  Blooming is in very good condition, no losses, lovely matte finish.  No dents, one minuscule mark to rear only.  Original? jump ring in 9ct rose gold would accommodate a fine chain.    

 Please note boxes and chains are for display only unless otherwise stated