February Jewel of the Month

Hancocks Jewel of the Month for February is this beautiful Tiffany & Co. diamond heart pendant.

This stunning antique diamond heart pendant was made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1915. The heart has a lovely domed and rounded form giving it a generous feel and is fully pavé set with sparkling old European brilliant cut diamonds. Measuring a substantial one inch wide and tall, it is made in platinum and backed with 18ct gold and suspended from a detachable diamond set loop. The sign of a quality piece of jewellery can be gauged by the appearance of the back of the jewel and when we turn this one over, we can see the incredibly fine hand piercing that allows maximum light into the piece along with the lovely fluted gold frame.

The heart motif has been used in jewellery since the Middle Ages, gaining popularity during the era of courtly love. It is perhaps the most popular and enduring of symbols and each era has found new ways to depict it and embellish it. This Edwardian era heart is as classically elegant as one would expect from fine jewellery of this period. The quality of craftsmanship is superb and as with all the finest jewellery, the back is as beautifully finished as the front. The diamonds are estimated to weigh around 3.8cts in total and are of lovely quality, have been well matched and are bright and lively.

Guy Burton, Director, Hancocks London, comments: “By the early 20th century Tiffany was one of the premier jewellers not in only in America but also the world and this is a truly beautiful example of their work. They had enjoyed great success at several World Fairs, acquired the magnificent canary yellow Tiffany Diamond and taken home a total of 24 lots from the auction of the French Crown Jewels, spending an extraordinary $480,000 – a sum greater than the next nine largest buyers combined. Today the Tiffany name is synonymous the world over with American style and luxury and their jewellery has long been worn by many of the world’s most elegant women.”