Description
A truly sublime piece of jewellery, and the only one I have come across from the era which uses all clear stones with a “secret”. The secret being that as the necklace moves, so the flashes of colour are seen in each carefully-selected stone. Blue shimmers from the blue moonstones, white from the white moonstones and all sorts of vivid colours in the water opals and opals. It was created in the c1900/1905 era by the powerhouse creative team of Arthur Gaskin and his wife Georgina, in Birmingham, England.
It is always such a delight to find a Gaskins’ piece as each one is of course, different to the last. In the main part of the chain, there are the usual hand-crafted silver openwork panels with leaves and berries in their detailing. They appear either side of a bezel set stone, both opal and round stones are used throughout. The colour shifts are mesmerising and I think this was such a clever touch to use stones that look clear from some angles, as it is such a beautifully subtle necklace.
I have to say that the three central stones on the drop are super. The top oval stone, set on the horizontal, is a white opal so you see that lovely crisp bright white shimmer. The middle stone is a water opal, which has the most incredible vivid green flashes and finally, the bottom stone is a blue moonstone. The effect of the white, green and blue shimmers from those three stones as you wear it, is just sublime.
In pleasing condition with patina as you can see (would polish further if you so desire), the pendant drop is approx 4.6cm and the wearable length of the chain is approx 40cm (15.75 inches). It retains its original hand crafted toggle clasp. It is a fine, subtle and understated piece that, of course in true Gaskins’ style, packs a lovely design punch.
I shall send in a new gift box as the box in the images is for display only. Complimentary special delivery within the UK or else express courier internationally.
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