A Spectacular Large Siberian Amethyst and Diamond Pendant/Brooch, c. 1860
Antique silver topped yellow gold brooch and pendant centering a gem quality natural approximately 22 ct. Siberian amethyst in a fancy octagonal shape. This stone, prong set, has an intense purple color with red flashes. Surrounding this bright stone are 43, prong set, early rose cut diamonds. Just over 100 rose cut diamonds are set in the wreath motifs on either side. A mine cut diamond is set at the bottom and is estimated to weigh .65 cts. 1.5 inches in length, this piece bears no marks but has been tested to confirm that it is silver topped 14K gold.
We have suspended this highly unusual piece on a contemporary 18K white gold and diamond chain with 2.02 cts of white brilliant cut diamonds. We will sell the antique piece without the contemporary diamond chain, if desired.
If for no other reason, Russia's 11 time zones make it a remarkable country. But equally unusual is its prodigious mineral resources especially in the Ural Mountains which seems to split the great country's land mass in half. Toward the northern part of the Urals, and likely no other place on our planet, there exists a type of reddish amethyst much different than the "just purple" type found in South America, and, even better than the very nice material from Africa (Burundi, Namibia and Zambia).
Many people, indeed most jewelers have never seen a Siberian amethyst. The stone itself with its very high crown, its small table and its memorable octagonal shape set in an exquisite neoclassic diamond wreath and layered in an inimitable patina developed over 160 years makes this piece rarer still.