March Jewel of the Month
Ahead of the second season of Bridgerton hitting our screens later this month, Hancocks London has selected a wonderful Georgian necklace as its Jewel of the Month for March.
Fit for a Bridgerton, a Featherington or even Lady Danbury, this bold and striking late Georgian gold and amethyst pendant necklace dates from the 1820-30s. The necklace is formed of a finely made gold chain, each circular link patterned with diagonal lines and joined to multiple others to form a beautiful, twisted chain. Part way down it has an ornate spherical slider decorated with three-colour gold flowers and leaves, another similar piece with pink gold flowers and green gold leaves suspends an open circle from which a large spinning fob pendant is hung. The pendant is set with an oval faceted amethyst estimated to weigh around 30cts and bezel set in gold within a decorative floral scroll frame.
Guy Burton, Director of Hancocks, says: “This is a quintessentially Georgian jewel with its beautifully handmade chain and the decorative floral work in shades of pink, green, white and yellow gold. The amethyst would have likely been intended to be engraved with a motto or phrase and therefore be used as a seal as well as worn as a jewel. It is a wonderful piece and is in fantastic condition, especially as it is around 200 years old.”
Historically, amethyst was considered to be as valuable as ruby and emerald, regularly adorning jewellery worn by royalty and religious figures. It was beloved by Catherine the Great who had a particular penchant for this rich purple gem and Queen Mary who owned a magnificent amethyst parure including a necklace and tiara. It even has a staring role in the Crown jewels – set above the Cullinan diamond in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. Guy Burton sums up: “Whether you believe an amethyst can help to protect against drunkenness – as the Ancient Greeks did – or that it can attract wisdom and good fortune, one thing for sure is that it is a beautiful gemstone and looks wonderful in this decorative piece set against the different colours of gold.”