The Hancocks Journal: August
Hello and welcome to our August edition of The Hancocks Journal.
This month we’re celebrating high summer with our fabulous 1970s Cartier coral and ruby sautoir, perfect for pool parties and cocktail parties alike. We also have Art Deco glamour, a juicy Burmese spinel and a rare and unusual Alhambra gold collar necklace. Please enjoy these highlights of our latest arrivals.
HENNELL
Art Deco Rock Crystal Bracelet
This wonderful Art Deco bracelet was made by the renowned London jewellers Hennell in 1929. Formed of rock crystal quartz, emeralds and diamonds it is quintessentially Art Deco in style and combines several themes typical of the aesthetic of jewellery from this period. The strong geometric shape of the links, the juxtaposition of just two contrasting colours, the use of rock crystal as a precious gemstone and the coloured gems calibré-cut especially for the piece are all signifiers of Art Deco jewels. It is a supremely elegant reminder of the glamour and style of the 1920s.
HANCOCKS
Burma Spinel and Diamond Ring
We have recently been buying some particularly beautiful top quality coloured gems and this gorgeous vivid red spinel is one of them. It has been certified as Burmese in origin and is unheated and we have set it quite simply with a hexagonal diamond frame to enhance its geometric shape. Rose gold echoes the fiery warmth of the stone and the end result is a classic ring with a contemporary vibe. Spinels have long been confused with rubies, the Black Prince’s Ruby being the most famous example of this, however they are finally beginning to gain the attention we think they deserve.
Jewel of the Month
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace 1998
The first Alhambra necklace was made over fifty years ago in 1968. Its design was influenced by the repeated use of traditional quatrefoil motifs that Jacques Arpels noted on his travels and which reminded him of the the four-leaf clovers he loved to look for in his garden at home in France. A great believer in charms and talismans, Jacques would pick these ‘lucky’ four-leaf clovers to give to friends and colleagues saying, “To be lucky, you have to believe in luck.” Over the years the Alhambra motif has been re-imagined many times over and has evolved into a now iconic collection. This necklace is by far one of the most unusual designs and we are delighted to be able to offer it for sale.
Maker Spotlight
Vintage Gold and Pavé Diamond Ear Clips by David Webb c.1960
“I had a tremendous feeling for art in me. I wanted to be an archaeologist, a ceramicist, or a jeweler. Jewelry won out.”
Bold, modern and unapologetically American, the jewellery designs of David Webb were inspired by nature, art history, architecture, and the vibrancy of the city he called home, New York. He believed that women wanted jewellery that would not only express their personalities but that would carry them from lunches to post dinner drinks and dancing, so he sought to create pieces that they could wear as comfortably and confidently during the day as at night. Follow the link below to discover which jewellery designer he credited with the inspiration for his famous animal jewels and the ethos that sustained him through decades of success.