Design & Historical Context |
Grand or Mid-Victorian jewelry refers to the jewelry produced during the middle part of the reign of Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901. During this time, jewelry design was influenced by a variety of styles and movements, including the Romantic and Gothic styles.
Mid-Victorian jewelry is characterized by its intricate detailing, use of precious materials such as gold and diamonds, and incorporation of motifs such as flowers, animals, and nature scenes. The style was also influenced by the Industrial Revolution, which made mass production of jewelry possible, and as a result, Mid-Victorian jewelry often featured machine-made elements such as gold filigree and enamel work.
One of the most famous designers of Mid-Victorian jewelry was the English jeweler, Charles Lewis Tiffany. Tiffany was known for his use of platinum and diamonds, as well as his incorporation of colorful gemstones such as sapphires and rubies. Another prominent Mid-Victorian jeweler was the French firm, Cartier, which produced a range of Mid-Victorian pieces using gold, diamonds, and other precious materials.
Mid-Victorian jewelry remains popular and is highly collectible to this day. It is often associated with the elegance and refinement of the time period, and is often seen as a symbol of wealth and sophistication.
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Materials & Craftsmanship |
Sapphire
Sapphire is a mineral made from aluminum oxide that is known for its beautiful colors, including blue, pink, yellow, green, purple, and orange.
The most popular variety of sapphire is blue sapphire, which has a medium to deep blue color and strong saturation. Blue sapphire is typically the most popular and most affordable of the three major precious gemstones (emerald, ruby, and sapphire) and is often used in a variety of different types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Fancy sapphires, which are available in a variety of different colors, are often more rare and expensive than blue sapphires and are prized for their unique and beautiful colors.
Sapphire is a very hard and durable gemstone, with a Mohs hardness of 9 out of 10, which makes it resistant to scratches and other types of damage. It is also believed to have various healing properties and is sometimes used in traditional medicine and meditation practices.
Pearl
Pearls are small, round, and lustrous objects that are produced by certain types of mollusks, which are invertebrate animals that belong to the phylum Mollusca. Mollusks include a wide range of species, including oysters, clams, mussels, snails, and octopuses, among others.
While all mollusks have the ability to produce pearls, only a few varieties are able to create gem-quality pearls that are suitable for use in jewelry. These include the oysters that produce akoya pearls, the freshwater mussels that produce freshwater pearls, and the South Sea and Tahitian pearls, which are produced by large saltwater oysters.
Pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, enters the mollusk and becomes trapped inside its shell. In response to the irritant, the mollusk secretes a substance called nacre, which coats the irritant and eventually forms a pearl.
The quality of a pearl is determined by a number of factors, including its size, shape, color, and luster. High-quality pearls are prized for their beauty and are used in a variety of different types of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
14k
14k gold is a popular choice for use in jewelry because it is durable, yet still relatively affordable compared to higher karat golds like 18k or 24k. It is made up of 58.5% pure gold and is mixed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. 14k gold is available in a range of colors, including yellow, white, and rose, and is commonly used in a variety of jewelry pieces such as rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. One of the advantages of 14k gold is that it is more resistant to wear and tear than pure gold, which makes it suitable for everyday wear. However, it is still softer than other alloys such as stainless steel or platinum, so it may require more maintenance to keep it looking its best. Overall, 14k gold is a popular choice for those who want the look and feel of gold, but at a more affordable price point.
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