These rare Georgian flat-cut garnet earring began their life as part of a brooch broken beyond repair. We loved the beautiful stones and collet-style settings in 9k gold, so we saved them by adding 14k gold posts to the back to recycle them into earrings.

HISTORY

Flat-cut garnets date back as early as 1730, and continued to be popular in jewelry until around 1820. Garnets have been appreciated throughout jewelry history not only as the birthstone for January, but as symbols of fidelity and love. In medieval times the stone was thought to cure depression and protect against disease. Noah allegedly used a brilliantly glowing garnet to illuminate the ark’s path on treacherous nights. It has been thought to protect against poisoning and reunite separated lovers. With beautiful stones, these earrings are surely a collector's piece to be cherished.

The use of reflective foil behind the stone was also common at this time. Foiling involves backing the gemstone with a sheet of metal to help better reflect light or add color.  In the Georgian and Victorian eras, this technique was used to bring out the best in a gemstone, before modern cutting practices and tools were around to maximize the stone's brilliance. Goldsmiths during this time had to get creative, and boy did they ever! Everything from metal to silk thread to peacock feathers were used, and before long, the craftsmanship involved in high quality foiling was elevated to an art of its own.

MATERIALS

9k Gold (Setting), 14k Yellow Gold (Post + Back), Flat-Cut Garnet

CONDITION

Very Good - stone and setting are in solid condition, with age-related wear and patina. Stones have small carbon inclusions that do not detract from their watery brilliance.

HALLMARKS

None

AGE

Late 1700s

SIZE

Earrings measure approximately 5mm in diameter, including setting. Soldered to standard size, solid 14k gold posts with 14k gold backs to match.