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Victorian garnet pendant/brooch

Reference #: 9291

Status: sold

Dimensions:  3 cm by 4.8 cm or approx. 1 and 1/4 by 1 and 3/4 inches

Condition: excellent

Year: 1860-80

Price: sold

Description:  Versatile Victorian pendant/brooch encrusted with bohemian rose cut garnets. The bail at the top of the pendant can be detached so that the piece can be worn as a brooch.  The setting is a low karat yellow gold, commonly called, "garnet gold". 
       

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.