3 900 €
Hide pricesThis lovely pair of 18k gold articulated earrings is set with lapis lazuli, old-cut diamonds and pearls. They are of a perfect length. The lapis lazuli is a beautiful navy blue. Work of the early 20th century.
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Weight |
16,80 g |
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| Length (cm) | 5 |
We deliver a certificate of authenticity
Please notice that our images are not photoshopped, we use a daylight environment (copyright - Heritage de France)
The jewel comes in a beautiful gift box
We can send a video on simple request
| Ref. | #6299 |
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Lapis lazuli in 19th-century French antique jewelry
In the 19th century, lapis lazuli emerged in French jewelry as a favored ornamental stone, admired for its deep blue hue highlighted by golden pyrite inclusions. Its moderate hardness — around 5.5 on the Mohs scale — requires delicate cutting, most often in cabochon form or polished plaques, to preserve the chromatic saturation that defines this gem.
Parisian workshops of the period commonly set lapis in 18-carat gold or gilt silver mounts, frequently embellished with neoclassical or Orientalist motifs. The closed-back bezel setting, widely used, protects the stone while emphasizing the purity of its opaque surface. Lapis was paired with pearls, coral, or fine enamel arabesques, creating refined contrasts sought after in “sentimental” jewelry and full parure sets.
Its use also reflected a symbolic aesthetic: the deep blue, perceived as noble and introspective, resonated with the Romantic sensibility of the era. Today, these antique pieces stand as testimonies to precise craftsmanship and masterful material harmony, where the dense, velvety stone remains the hallmark of scholarly, timeless elegance.
