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Edwardian 15ct Gold, Mother of Pearl, Green Enamel & Green Garnet Pansy Pendant

417Y
80 Admirers
Written by Olly Gerrish

An unusual 15ct gold pendant that was made circa 1900-1915.  It is a stylised pansy that has been set with a green garnet on top of engraved mother of pearl petals with a green enamel edging. The bale is the stem set with another green garnet. Although garnets have been known since ancient times, the demantoid variety was not discovered until 1868 in Russia’s western central Ural Mountains. Miners were immediately stunned by the highly refractive nature of the gem material. They began comparing it to diamond and referred to it as “demantoid”, from the French “demant” meaning diamond. The reason is obvious, with its high brilliance and dispersion. These bright apple green stones are comparatively rare and very expensive as they are no longer mined. In the early 1900s they were a celebrated stone and many items of jewellery were set with these beautiful stones.

Pansies were also a popular choice as they sent a message to “Think of me” which was a pun on the French expression “Pense a moi”.

So this adorable pendant would have been a gift from an admirer all those years ago.

The Essentials

Item Number:
417Y
Measurements:
Height 2.4cm
Width 2.3cm
From top of bale to base 3.2cm.
Place of Origin:
England
Discovered:
2 months ago

Hallmarks

Unmarked, 15ct gold

Condition

Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent

Care Tips

  • Take extra care with soft or brittle gemstones
  • Avoid chipping enamel
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