Edwardian 18ct Gold, Green Garnet & Diamond Bracelet

A pretty bracelet that was made in the early 1900s. It has been set with five graduated transition cut diamonds with three green garnets in between the diamonds. Garnets have been known since ancient times. Green garnets or the demantoid variety were 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. The gold links are sprung so this bracelet will sit snugly on the wrist. The tongue clasp has an added safety clasp.