Art Nouveau 18ct Gold & Silver, Fire Opal & Diamond Pendant with Natural Baroque Pearl Drop in Original Case

An unusual Art Nouveau pendant that was made circa 1900-1910. It is a wonderful flowing design that is very typical of the Art Nouveau period. It has been set with a beautiful fire opal that has an approximate weight of just over for and a half carats. It is surrounded by old mine cut and rose diamonds that serve to highlight the fire opal and there is a natural baroque pearl drop. Fire opals are amazing stones and are found in Mexico. The Mayas and Aztecs loved this gemstone and used it in mosaics and for ritualistic purposes. They called it “quetzalitzlipyollitli”, the “The bird of paradise stone”. The stone knowledge of Mexico’s natives, which had been handed down for generations sank into oblivion for a long time until in the early 1800s, the fiery treasures hidden in the Mexican highlands were remembered, and mining gradually started again. They were especially popular in the Art Nouveau period.

This pendant comes in the original gold tooled green Moroccan leather case and was retailed by Lindsay jewellers who had the King’s warrant. They were based in 34 George Street Hanover Square London.