Pendant and bail consisting of a carved lavender colored stone, partially enwrapped in gold colored metal, partially enameled/painted, vines with flowers and leaves. Colorless and colored faceted stones. Similar linked bail minus a covered stone. Both pieces complete front, back and sides. Lavender colored stone carved with vine motif. Total length, 2 linked pieces approx. 1.75 inches; width 1.375 inches at widest point. Photos of front, back, left and right sides. No markings found.
Unknown other than inherited from a friend.
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
It is a beautiful pendant. Such vintage pieces of jewellery are being offered at auction on a regular basis.
It is a very unusual pendant with a pretty design. The stone may be an ametyst or a rose quartz stone, however it is hard to tell from the photos. The design with the enamelled details and the extra added coloured stones which may be agathes was often seen in the beginning of the 20 century. I surprises me that there are no marks on the metal. When it is gold it is almost always marked however there are exceptions. It could also be gilded silver or simply goldcoloured metal. A jewellery shop will be able to determine this for you.
The estimate given is assuming it is made of gold.
The estimate provided is for a well-advertised specialised online jewellery auction, where I believe the pendant has the best chance of realising its fullest potential. However, there is no measurement for the sentimental value you might attach to the lovely pendant. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and vary.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I’m happy to help.
Thank you
Thank you for your reply.
I misspelled agate - it is a kind of rock/stone that comes in many colours and was used on jewellery in the beginning of the 20th century. Both the use of the stone and the look of the pendant leaves me to believe that it dates from the first part of the 1900s.
It was also common to make jewellery in both gold, silver and goldplated metal in the early 1900s. But that will be clearified when a jeweller tests it for you. Most jewellery tends to have a back-side as well as a front, however when the pendant can rotate like I believe yours can it makes sense that it is decorated on all sides.
Hope this clarifies your questions - if not feel free to write again and I will see how I may assist you.
Thank you.
Sabrina,
Thank you for your appraisal. Interesting and helpful.
Curiously, I could not find a meaningful explanation of "agathe" online. Can you elaborate?
Also, you mention "the beginning of the 20th century" is that based on it being a stone wrapped as it is or use of the "agathes"?
I too am surprised not to be able to find markings. It seems to me it's probably not gold since it is not marked as such, but it seems for the amount of work and techniques required to make it that the use of gold would be logical or even expected, yet, for the same reasons, all the more likely it would have markings. Any comment? I will take it to a local jeweler.
Is it unique that it is finished/decorated on all sides? Both the bail and the drop.
Light years from being an expert, I find the concept unique, and, as you say especially pretty and charming. Do you have an insights as to similar pieces?
Thanks so much!
James Sutton