Chinese Silver Turquoise Bracelet

The form of this extra wide (4.4cm) Chinese silver bangle shows the influence of the Western market on the 19th century Chinese silversmith. Large decorated silver bangles became popular in Europe in the mid 19th century.

[click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RidgewoodEntrust]

What intrigues me about this bracelet is that the construction appears western while the decoration is Chinese...carved turquoise cabochons on one side and a dreamlike, almost surreal scene of Chinese symbols on the other: immortals floating in the air on leaves that spill out of a gigantic vase...with a huge dragonfly hovering to one side.



The construction; the tongue clasp, the two panel hollow construction with the flat edge, the hinge...none of these appear in 18th or early 19th century Chinese bracelets. But these details do appear in British and European bangles c. 1850.

In 1844 Louis Comfort Tiffany was one of many Western merchants who traveled to China and brought back large orders of silver...so there must have been a cross pollination of ideas.

I have owned this bracelet for a long time...and I continually put off writing about it...thinking I will be able to describe the compelling dreamlike scene ...perhaps that is why we have a PhotoBlog...hopefully these pictures are worth a 1000 words?

Visit PrivateCollection's PictureBook to see additional photos.

Chinese Sapphire and Seed Pearl Necklace

Do you believe in magic? Is it possible that a gemstone can bring the wearer good fortune? There seem to be a number of opinions...for centuries the Sapphire, in addition to its obvious beauty, has been associated with mystical and healing powers.

[click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RidgewoodEntrust]

"In 1299, the Queen gave King Edward I a gold pendant set with a large sapphire...to be worn next to the skin, so that its magical powers might benefit the wearer." J. Evans, A History of Jewellery.

"The sapphire was a ticket to immortality and was popular with ancient rulers." H. Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry.

"In the far east the blue sapphire has a peculiar superstition attached to it...it will either bring the wearer great luck and fortune or great misfortune but it is not until the owner has worn the actual stone that he or she will know which way fortune will swing." M. Poynder, Price Guide to Jewellery.


This 19th century necklace consists of a 132 carat (approx.) hand carved cabochon cut natural blue sapphire set in a vermeil pendent. This alone would be striking, but the addition of 23 1.5mm and 257 1mm natural pearls that have been drilled and strung on a fine silk thread does make the pendent magical. The chain is 26 inches long and has 7 pearl rosettes.

"Oriental pearl- the highest quality pearl...such pearls were brought to Europe in Medieval Times...often regarded as more valuable that a diamond." H. Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry.


Several years ago a friend introduced me to a gemologist who is also a custom jeweler. Ralph Schroetter is a great teacher....he understands both gemstones, construction and collects rare stones.

When I first showed him this necklace he was even more excited than I was. We are both still in awe of how the tiny seed pearls were strung on such fine strands of silk...perhaps the sapphire brought magic to their stringer?

Visit PrivateCollection's PictureBook to see additional photos.