Description
Date: c. 1820, later clasp with c. 1840 element
Materials: pink sapphires/rubies (tested & louped but not GIA-certified), solid 18k chain, solid 18k clasp decorative element, solid 14k clasp body (unmarked; tested with electronic gold tester)
Weight: 25.8 grams
Workmanship origin:
Length: 38.5 cm (15.16 in)
Diameter of links: 9.8 – 10.1 mm
Dimension of clasp: 27.5 x 23.5 mm
Condition: the clasp is a later modification— a c.1840 lace brooch has been soldered to what looks to be an Edwardian bar clasp. One link has been re-soldered at the seam. The star pattern on 4 links are rather worn out / smooth. The edge of some links have tiny sawtooth-like nibbles, which is common to Georgian chains from this era, created due to the soft 18k links grinding and catching against each other over a long time; none of the nibbles are structurally unsound, but my jeweler stabilize a few of the links against further further wear with a coat of high-strength jeweler’s epoxy (HXTAL NYL-1) to the underside. While strong and non-discoloring, this reinforcement can be removed by soaking the links in acetone.