Posted 8 years ago
pebble
(31 items)
This set belonged to my Grandma. She gave me the ring when I was a teenager (it fitted me then but not now!), and my mum has just given me the rest of the set.
My Mum always said it was lapis lazuli, but having got into vintage jewellery recently it looks to me like glass. The opaque turquoise is swirled with translucent amber, with metallic foil underneath which gives it sparkle. I don't know if it's designed to look like lapis lazuli or if it's just co-incidence. The end result is beautiful anyway.
The necklace and ring are both stamped "sterling silver". The brooch has no marks on it at all, but it's completely black. I don't know if it was made from a different metal and is meant to be black, or if it's just completely tarnished! The pin is bright and shiny though, I wonder if it's been replaced at some point.
Thank you to Peasejean55 for posting links to similar Bernard Instone pieces - I think these are his work too.
Hi pebble,
I think you have some Bernard Instone here.http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/173172-three-bernard-instone-enamel-and-silverhttp://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/166167-bernard-instone-silver-enamel-pendant-an
Your grandma had good taste. I hope these links above help.
I hope these links help.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/166167-bernard-instone-silver-enamel-pendant-an
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/173172-three-bernard-instone-enamel-and-silver
Sorry my first links didn't work.
Oh my, thank you for the comments and links Peasejean - it really does look like it!
Thanks also Efesgirl and Aura for clicking love.
I've found one website that mentions Bernard Instone worked with oxidised silver - I wonder if that's what the brooch is as it seems more uniformly black than just tarnish from age.
I think peddle your brooch is also Bernard Instone. By the way I love that ring it's really lovely.
Thank you - I think the brooch is his too, I was just wondering about the metal :)
I can just wear the ring on my little finger now!
Pebble, I think the brooch is tarnished silver.
The pin is original to the brooch and unlike the rest of the piece, it's not silver, that's why it's not tarnished.
It's a beautiful set Pebble!!
Fabulous set Pebble!
Wear any of it and look wonderful.
Thanks Peasejean55 and davyd286, I think the brooch must have sat unworn to become so tarnished compared to the other two pieces. I actually like it black so I think I'll leave it like that! Can't wait to tell my mum the story.
Thanks also to valentino97, TassieDevil and racer4four for your comments, I will certainly be wearing them!
Efesgirl, aura, martika, jeneric, kyratango, Tassiedevil and melaniej - thanks for the love!