TEARDROP Diamond VICTORIAN French Antique 18k GOLD Buttercup Pendant Foiled 6.7mm Rose Cut Pear Tear Drop

Selling a collection of vintage and antique jewelry. Many more coming soon - thanks for stopping by! : )

ABOUT:

Beautiful Victorian era French antique teardrop pendant with a nice sized, pear / teardrop bright rose cut diamond in a closed foil back setting. Above the largest center diamond are two additional little rose cuts, all in domed back settings. These are propped up at the center with scalloped buttercup gold work around the stones and little ball rivet at the bottom. The pendant is in a warm, rosy 18k gold. Note the small loop, it may need an added jump ring.

I acquired this piece in Paris, France. It's nice to see an old piece with the foil in such good shape, it is slightly warm but very reflective with no muddy spots.

These are scarce and sought after for a few reasons - the first is that all antique hand cut antique diamonds of course have a more limited supply since they are no longer made in this way. There are only so many in existence compared to the millions of carats of modern machine cut diamonds made every year. These have withstood the test of time.

The second is the shape - we more often find them in round or cushion shapes so finding an antique diamond in a pear shape adds to its desirability.

The loop bears the French antique hallmark for 18k gold used primarily in the 1800s and discontinued by the very early 1900s. It has a rich, warm antique patina with a lovely glow.

Antique props, chain, etc. not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it is difficult to show scale in the photos.

MEASUREMENTS:
The diamond is 7mm top to bottom and 5mm wide. It is not possible to know the carat weight for sure without knowing the depth of the stone. To get that measurement, the diamond would have to be removed from the setting which in my humble opinion should not be done. The back of the setting is domed but it is possible the rose cut is thinly sliced. Like most rose cuts they have a lower carat weight but the surface area gives it the appearance of a larger carat stone. A round modern brilliant diamond with 1 carat total weight has a diameter of around 6.5mm for comparison's sake and to give you an idea of scale.

The two smaller diamonds are 3mm each.

The piece weighs 2.5 grams. The pendant is 6.5mm deep / tall. 27mm long to the loop and 12mm wide.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

It looks like there may have been two additional prongs extending out from center, one on each side of the pear as there are tool marks there and a slit opening to the buttercup design in that area. The stone is still perfectly stable and it does not affect wearability.

Some darker patina and spotting to the gold from age in the recesses of the buttercup which could be gently polished with time and patience and perhaps a small q-tip. One should avoid getting these closed back pieces wet. Top diamond has a nick under magnification. No damage to the other two, and the largest is in especially nice shape with no glaring inclusions, just some faint specks under strong magnification. Some age to the foil but still very reflective.

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 : )

SOCIAL:
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Thanks so much for looking at my items!

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