The Hancocks Journal: February
Hello and welcome to our February edition of The Hancocks Journal.
This month we’re celebrating Love with some beautiful new jewels, starting off with this wonderful diamond and platinum flower brooch by Hennell. The quality of the design and execution of this beautiful jewel shows wonderful care and craftsmanship. From the curve of a petal, to the twist of a leaf or the delicacy of the stalk – all of these create a sense of life and gentle movement to this piece. It can be worn as above or separated into two smaller brooches. Full details are on our website, just click here.
Below we have one of the loveliest heart shape diamonds we’ve seen, an antique lover’s knot bracelet and the story of a Maison who were widely known as ‘the jeweller’s jeweller’.
We hope you enjoy this selection of recent acquisitions. As ever, our full collection is available to view in our Burlington Arcade boutique and on our website and our Instagram page is updated daily, all links are at the end of this newsletter.
HANCOCKS
Hexagonal Diamond Ring
We are meticulous about the diamonds we select for use in our engagement ring collection and bespoke jewellery. We favour old cuts, particularly old European and old mine cuts and we have a definite penchant for Asschers too. However sometimes we like to shake things up a bit and choose a really unusual cut, such as this striking hexagonal double bullet. It weighs 2.53cts and is an F colour and VS2 clarity, we’ve set it horizontally between shoulders inlaid with two rows of round brilliant cut diamonds within a knife-edge band finely crafted in platinum with millegrian edging and ornate hand engraved zig-zag motifs. It’s a real ‘one-off’ and we’re smitten with it!
BELLE EPOQUE
Lover’s Knot Bracelet
The lover’s knot is symbolic of love and affection between two parties as denoted by the two separate chords that are tied together with the distinctive looping knot. This knot has no obvious beginning or end and when pulled, only gets tighter and more difficult to undo, the implication being that when under pressure love only strengthens the ties that bind. Dating back to antiquity there are references to lover’s knots in text and imagery throughout history including Ancient Greece and Egypt, Celtic decorative items and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It’s a symbol with the most romantic connotations, beloved by many, a perfect gift for your one true love.
Jewel of the Month
1.65ct Old Mine Heart Shaped Diamond Ring by Yard c.1935
We’re feeling the love this month with our beautiful heart shaped diamond ring.
This charming heart shaped diamond ring was made by the American jewellery firm Raymond Yard circa 1935.
It is set with an antique brilliant cut heart shape diamond weighing 1.65cts and of F colour and VS1 clarity, claw set in platinum between shoulders each set with a single baguette diamond in rub over setting.
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.
Maker Spotlight
VERGER FRÈRES
Whilst you might not be familiar with their name, you will almost certainly have seen their jewels.
Widely known as the jeweller’s jeweller, Verger Frères created some of the most exceptional jewels, clocks and watches of the Art Deco era supplying many of the most famous jewellery houses of the period.
Ferdinand Verger (1851- 1928) founded his eponymous jewellery business in Paris in 1872 having been apprenticed aged just 11 to the Parisian watchmaker Lépine. The business would go from strength to strength and become a family affair.
Whilst this lovely necklace is marked, many Verger pieces go unrecognised today due to the emphasis placed on the name of the retailer such as Cartier, Mauboussin etc. However the quality of workmanship and beauty of design can sometimes alert a keen admirer to the origin of an Art Deco masterpiece and perhaps the presence of a discreet VF.
Click below to read more of the story.