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Size: 2.25" by 2"
After an incredible international buying excursion, I will be listing some great items of jewelry and collectibles over the upcoming weeks (and months). I was lucky enough to acquire some terrific and diverse items sure to appeal to anyone wishing to expand their personal collections! Click on my other auctions to view more of the uncovered treasures exclusively for my eBay customers!
I bought this from a French woman who said to have purchased it in South America back in the 1940s or 50s. Beautiful is a gross understatement when describing this incredible cross. Measuring approximately 2" wide and 2 1/4" high, not including its lovely 3/8" bale, this mid century piece appraised for over $500 40 years ago.
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Stamped 18K on the back of the bale, the cross is comprised of four art deco retro inspired custom faceted natural amythest stones that are geometrically shaped in tapering lines. Each piece makes a station of the cross and is held to the filigree type rose or pink gold cast mounting with four prongs. These stones appear to be a superior quality than average and may be Siberian in origin. One person suggested that they are actually alexanderite stones, but I am uncertain. The photos make the cross appear to change colors, but that was my camera. A center floral shape connects the four sections with a brilliant cut genuine diamond in the center. The diamond is a high quality stone of about 35 to 40 points and is a VS1 clarity (measures about 3.8 mm in diameter), I to J color...this is an educated estimate...and its held in with six prongs.
Ornate and stunning, the detail work is absolutely exquisite from the rich purple stones to the swirled openwork gold setting adorning the cross. It's in excellent condition, near mint, and it's free of damage or repair. I would, however, if I was planning on wearing this, have a jeweler check all the stones to insure that they are secure in the setting...there is a little "play" in one of them, so I'd be on the safe side.
Truly a rare and unique treasure, anyone who is a lover of diamonds, amythests, or Christian symbols and crosses should consider buying this fine piece. In a fine shop of estate jewelry, this could run upwards to $1800 to $2500 and more. |
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