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Victorian garnet and pearl pendant with locket back

Reference #: 8971

Status: sold

Dimensions:  1.25 by 1.75 inches or 2.9 cm by 4 cm

Condition: excellent

Year: 1860-80

Price: sold

Description:  Distinctive, fine quality garnet and pearl pendant set in 14kt. rose gold.  In the center of the pendant is a unusually large, faceted garnet surrounded by seed pearls.  The back of the garnet is open, which enhances the beauty of the stone.  This locket would look lovely on a strand of pearls. 
       

Garnet is the birthstone for January. 
The stone received its name from the Latin word for pomegranate, "granatum", because it reminded early scientists of pomegranate seeds.
The Persians considered garnet a royal stone.  Primitive cultures believed that garnets could be used to stop bleeding and cure inflammation. Asian and North American tribes used garnets as bullets, believing the stone would inflict fatal wounds.  During the Victorian era, Western cultures believed that garnets would enrich the blood and provide the wearer with a long, healthy life.