Description:
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Marked 925
Weighs 4.1 Grams
Stones measure approximately 4.7 mm by 5.78 mm
We are pleased to offer this Sterling Silver Mandarin Garnet Stone Cross Pendant. These beautiful orangish red stones and the natural patina on the sterling silver create a beautiful vintage look that you will love. The cross pendant contains six Mandarin Garnet stones. This pendant and necklace are in excellent condition.
Sterling silver is a white and highly reflective precious metal. Sterling refers to silver that is 92.5 percent pure, which should be stamped on the metal, sometimes accompanied by the initials of the designer or country of origin as a hallmark. Although less durable than stainless steel and other precious metals, sterling silver is often employed in watches that coordinate or look like sterling jewelry.
Like fiery comets against the evening sky, the first mandarin garnets appeared in the gemstone trade a little over ten years ago. Specialists and gemstone lovers all agreed: the magnificent colors and high brilliance of these orange-red treasures are unique. So what kind of gemstones are they, and where do they come from?
Close your eyes and dream a little: Africa. In the north-west of Namibia, the evening sky glows orange-red over quiet hills and a solitary river. The next settlement is some nine hours away by car. Temperatures here are extreme: in summertime they rise to between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, and in winter they drop almost to freezing-point. Here, far away from civilization of any kind, the Kunene River has been winding its way through the hills along the border between Namibia and Angola for centuries. At this remote spot, one of the last untouched places on Earth, the first mandarin garnets were discovered in 1991. Embedded in mica and mica schist where they had come into being millions of years before, small crystals of an unusual color and transparency were discovered, and they immediately attracted the attention of the specialists. The gemological examination proceeded to confirm initial suppositions: it was a find involving the rare orange gemstone variety known as 'spessartine' from the large, colorful garnet family. Until then, spessartines had been found in Sri Lanka, Upper Burma, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, Kenya and Tanzania, and yet they were practically unknown in jewelry, catering mainly to the interests of gemstone lovers and collectors. The reason for this rather shadowy existence was a simple one: specimens with really good color and quality were only found very rarely indeed. The fantastic crystals from Namibia, on the other hand, were of an unusually fine, intensely radiant orange. Some sparkled in the rich reddish-orange of the last light of evening, seen when the sun has already disappeared below the horizon. They were more beautiful and more radiant than anything that had gone before them. And hardly any inclusions interfered with the brilliant image of these 'noble garnets'.
Swiftly, the raw crystals found their way on to the market via a few gemstone cutting-centers. Most of them were faceted, this being the best way to bring out their incomparable color and brilliance. But sadly, the mine on the Kunene River was exhausted after a short while. At the beginning, the gemstones had been found there at the very surface, but gradually they had had to dig deeper and deeper, the yield becoming smaller and smaller and the costs higher and higher. Finally, production was ceased. Further searches in the remote bush country of Namibia would have required too much effort and proved too expensive. Traders and gemstone lovers greatly regretted the fact that this, of all gemstones, which had gained such an enthusiastic following so quickly, was now only available occasionally from the stocks of a few cutting-centers.
Remember Goodoletom for fabulous, top quality collectibles and vintage fine and costume jewelry! So, if you "love it!!” be sure to check back with us soon for ever changing inventory on a regular basis.
Goodoletom purchased this item from a Hartford area estate. It is unique in our inventory, so Buy It Now and don't be disappointed! (111207AJ03HC)
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