ABOUT:
A gorgeous and sturdy French antique bracelet with glowing curb link chain leading up to the glossy red garnet orb.
Beautiful patina and coloring with a lovely sheen to the garnet and the rich crimson color that has lighter flashes of red from within.
Found in Paris with the French hallmark for 18k solid gold. Rich and warm hues from age and patina with a buttery glow. Highly sought after as this special coloring cannot be found on new gold jewelry. So lovely!
It is solid gold in that it is not plated or gold filled but the links are fabricated with vacant space in between where the links were crated with gold sheets curved into link form. This is a common fabrication for the period but I wanted to note it that the links are not filled all the way through.
I enjoyed styling it with mixed metals and diamond tennis bracelets. I love seeing the highly domed top of the garnet ascending from the wrist. A classic and timeless antique piece still so on trend for today.
Antique props not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
Weight is 13.1 grams.
The garnet is 12mm east west by 7.9mm deep so a nice sized, chunky stone (a 12mm diamond is usually almost 7 carats and this stone would be larger with the chunky cabochon cut - I would not remove it to weigh it.)
The bracelet is about 7 inches in length (trying to wrap a tape measure around the inside, it doesn't open end to end with the safety chain).
I have a 5.5 inch wrist and it is too big for me, I can slide it off and on without opening it so it would fit better on a larger wrist than mine.
Links could be removed by a local jeweler but it would require a weld at the clasp after re-sizing so you'd want to discuss the with the person doing the work.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
This one was difficult to photograph. There are no dark or green spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it reflects its surroundings including trees outside the window. There are additional pics on my website so you can see more. There is a ding and chip to the back inside of the garnet, not visible at all while wearing. There may be some slight crazing lines around that ding but the stone is completely stable as it is so thick, none of the damage runs through the stone or affects the chunky domed top, it is just the flat back that was affected. Some natural inclusions within that can catch the light. One nick to the top surface which is otherwise glossy with a gorgeous sheen and color.
The hollow gold links have some small pinhead holes, creases and punctures, I count about 10. I see them when I study the inside edges under magnification. Some of the larger creases might be eye visible but the pinhead holes are not. Nothing really glaring while wearing the piece, the links all appear correct in form, not crushed or dented, but there is evidence of its 120 plus year old age. The links are still stable and do not flex or bend in anyway, it's just areas of wear to the gold where two links run together or along the seam from fabrication. There is an example of one of the larger ones in the photos so please look for that.
Please also note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and sparkle, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup or inclusions that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it reflects its surroundings.
I enjoy making my customers happy and matching unique pieces with new homes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! It means a lot to me that you are visiting my shop! : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com for more pics.
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