This 18k gold bracelet is centred by a dark blue, cushion-cut Verneuil sapphire weighing approximately 2.25 carats, complemented by thirty old mine-cut diamonds with a combined estimated weight of 0.60 carats.
The bracelet’s hollow, square-profile band sits comfortably on the wrist and is secured with a box clasp and safety chain, preventing it from slipping off unnoticed.
The synthetic sapphire at its centre reflects a remarkable chapter in the history of gem production. In the late nineteenth century, French chemist Auguste Verneuil (1856–1913) pioneered a method—now known as the Verneuil process—that allowed the creation of synthetic corundum crystals in just a matter of days.
By feeding purified aluminum oxide through an intense oxyhydrogen flame, Verneuil successfully replicated the conditions under which sapphires form in nature. The resulting “boules” of corundum could be cut and polished into brilliant, vividly coloured gemstones.
At the time this bracelet was made, the Verneuil sapphire was celebrated as a technological marvel: a modern, scientifically engineered alternative to natural sapphire, identical in chemical composition and durability, yet far more accessible.
This bracelet therefore embodies both the elegance of Belle Epoque jewels and the innovative spirit that defined the turn of the twentieth century.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: inner dimensions 57 x 52 mm, inner circumference 17 cm / 6.7 inches. The cluster measures 15 x 13 mm, and the band is 4 m wide.
Weight: 10.70 grams.
Age: Late 19th Century, also known as the Belle Epoque era, circa 1890.
Material: Hallmarked with French import marks for 18k gold.
Condition: In great antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with age.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only. This shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import taxes.