With spring having sprung, and colour creeping back into the landscape, our thoughts have turned to some of the unusual coloured pieces, gemstones and combinations of gemstones that will be offered in the Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale on 17th May, including numerous Scandinavian and modernist pieces.
A Plique-à-Jour Enamel Scarf Clip
Estimate: £80-120 plus buyer’s premium
A Plique-à-Jour Enamel Scarf Clip features a whimsical fairy with plique-à-jour wings; translated from the French, Plique-à-jour means ‘letting in the day(light)’ and is a technique whereby translucent enamels are used to create a stained-glass effect. The colours included in this piece are hues of purple, blue and green, which allows plenty of versatility in the choice of scarf to wear it with.
An Amethyst, Emerald and Citrine Necklace
Estimate: £300-500 plus buyer’s premium
Another lot featuring purple is an unusual Amethyst, Emerald and Citrine Necklace, which comprises seven strands of faceted amethysts, strung with a chunky plaque midway, and set with a contrasting cushion cut citrine, with small round cabochon emerald details to each corner.
An Opal Doublet and Diamond Ring, designed by Zoltan Popovits for Lapponia
Estimate: £150-200 plus buyer’s premium
An Opal Doublet and Diamond Ring by Lapponia, designed by Zoltan Popovits, is of typically abstract form, and set with an opal doublet. Opal doublets are a composite stone, comprising a thin layer of precious opal laid on a dark backing stone to allow a deeper colour, whilst requiring less precious opal material to create the effect. Opals can contain a variety of colours within them, the rarest flashes of colour being the red tones.
A Turquoise and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1900
Estimate: £400-600 plus buyer’s premium
Turquoise occurs in shades of blue to green. It is an organic gemstone, and porous, so and is a fairly delicate stone. Oils or creams (i.e. hand lotions) should be avoided as they can penetrate the stone and affect the colour and appearance. This Turquoise and Diamond Cluster Ring, made circa 1900, has a floral form, inset with six cabochon turquoise and a diamond frame. This is quite an unusual style to see set with turquoise, and will no doubt appeal to antique jewellery and gemstone collectors alike.
A Single Row Cultured Pearl Necklace, with A Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Clasp
Estimate: £100-150 plus buyer’s premium
Sticking with the blue theme, and perhaps of particular interest as bridal jewellery (pearls for love, combined with something blue, for the traditional appeal), is a Cultured Pearl Necklace, which is very unusually strung to a lapis lazuli clasp. The two-part lapis lazuli clasp is scalloped, which accentuates the rich blue colour and showcases the subtle gold flecks within the stone, which are pyrite inclusions.
A Multi Gem-Set Chain
Estimate: £200-300 plus buyer’s premium
Finally, covering most of the colours we can think of, is a Multi Gem-Set Chain. Offering a gemstone and a colour to accessorise any outfit, this chain features spectacle settings, where each oval gemstone is held in a collar around the girdle of the stone. With an array of gemstones including opal, turquoise, sapphires in multiple hues, and a watermelon tourmaline amongst others, this chain is an unusual length and could be worn as a choker (for the very petite) or a long length bracelet/anklet. Alternatively, it could be attached to a Multi Gem-Set Necklace, which is en suite and additionally features peridot, moonstone, an assortment of agates and more.
A Multi Gem-Set Necklace
Estimate: £400-600 plus buyer’s premium
To discuss buying or selling jewellery at Tennants, please contact the Jewellery Department.
