Larkspur & Hawk Antique Graduated Rivière Ca 1780

This rivière, with its graduated, cushion-shaped stones and gold, collet settings gleaming beneath natural blue topaz, represents a luxurious version of a quintessential Georgian silhouette. While topaz was used since Egyptian times, in the 18th century it started to be mined in Brazil for the European market, thereby finding its way to some jewelry boxes of the aristocracy.

Emily points out how different the blue hue in this rivière is compared with modern-day, heat-treated topaz, with its turquoise and peacock shades. Here, the stones are a gentle color, which can look green or blue depending on the light. The rivière retains a gooseneck wire behind the center stone, originally used to hang a matching pendant that has since been lost, which can easily be removed should the next custodian prefer. It also comes with an antique box to keep it lovingly protected and safe.

Ca 1780