What periods do these pieces come from?

The selection spans several historical eras, featuring pieces from the Georgian and Victorian periods, through Edwardian and Art Nouveau designs, up to mid-century vintage items from the 1950s and 1960s. Victorian and Edwardian examples are particularly common, representing a large portion of the available antique rings, brooches, and pendant necklaces.

How do I care for antique garnet jewellery?

Antique jewellery requires gentle handling due to age and delicate settings like seed pearls or closed-back foils. Avoid submerging pieces in water or using harsh chemical cleaners. Instead, wipe them carefully with a soft, dry cloth after wearing and store them separately to prevent scratching the softer gold and stones.

What is the difference between rose gold and yellow gold in these pieces?

Rose gold contains a higher proportion of copper alloy mixed with pure gold, resulting in a warm, pinkish hue that was especially popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Yellow gold retains a traditional golden appearance created by balancing copper with silver. Both metal colours provide a striking contrast against the deep crimson tones of red garnets.

How are garnets usually cut in older pieces?

Older pieces often feature cabochon cuts with smooth, rounded tops, or rose cuts and old mine cuts with numerous small facets. These traditional cutting styles were shaped by hand to maximise the stone's colour and catch the ambient candlelight or early gaslight. Later vintage pieces from the mid-twentieth century more commonly display precise modern oval or pear faceting.