Edwardian Green Garnet, Diamond & Natural Pearl Pendant

An incredibly light and pretty looking 15ct gold pendant with a silver top that was made circa 1900-1910. It is typical of the Edwardian period with the flowers motif set with a mixture old mine cut and rose cut diamonds and green garnets with two natural pearl drops. Although garnets have been known since ancient times, the demantoid variety was not discovered until 1868 in Russia’s western central Ural Mountains. Miners were immediately stunned by the highly refractive nature of the gem material. They began comparing it to diamond and referred to it as “demantoid”, from the French “demant” meaning diamond. The reason is obvious, with its high brilliance and dispersion. These bright apple green stones are comparatively rare and very expensive as they are no longer mined. In the early 1900s they were a celebrated stone and many items of jewellery were set with these beautiful stones.