DATE: Edwardian, c.1910

Sublime Edwardian earrings dating from the early 20th century, circa 1910. Each one set with a 1.68ct cluster of old mine cut diamonds around a vivid pinkish ruby centre. The stones are set in platinum bezel mounts finished in fine millegrain, with openworked sections and articulated diamond tops. The craftsmanship is exquisite, making full use of the platinum's natural strength to create a wonderfully intricate/delicate pair. 

The rubies are known as Verneuil (or flame fusion) stones, made in a laboratory at a time when man-made gemstones were at the cutting edge of modern technology, and could command prices exceeding the natural stones on account of their large size, vivid colour, and near-flawless internal clarity. These two gems tick all three boxes. Lab grown rubies possess the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics as the naturally occurring rubies - they're the same mineral, corundum - and were usually grown from a natural "seed" ruby. They represented, through technology, humanity’s ability to replicate one of Nature’s most prized creations.

STONES 

Verneuil Rubies (lab grown), approx. 0.75ct each

Old Mine Cut Diamonds - total weight approx. 3.4ct (calculated), H/I colour, VS clarity

MEASUREMENTS 

Drop: 4.8cm

Width: 1.2cm

WEIGHT 

5.8g (pair)

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as platinum

CONDITION 

Excellent, with original box