Victorian Era Emerald and Diamond Necklace

Bright emeralds in a quatrefoil design with old mine and rose cut diamonds. Fine workmanship in silver topped gold settings. English in origin. Circa 1880.

Hanging on a 16.50” antique rose gold chain.  The pendant measures 1.25" in drop length and .75" wide. 

The ancient Egyptians regarded the emerald with its deep green color unlike the green of anything else known to them, as being mystical and magical.  Within the green shade of emerald are worlds of difference. What is considered the finest green, which is seen in stones from two specific mines in Columbia, is called ‘old mine’ green. Hundreds of years ago, the stones were pulled from the earth and sent all over the world by the Spaniards.  The best mines in Colombia were abandoned in 1895. It is said, none of the recently mined emeralds from Colombia can compare in the depth of color to that of the “old mine’ stones.