Featured type of old rhinestone?

I bought a whole bag of costume jewelry because: 1) it had lots of sparkly bits inside and I'm attracted to sparkly things and 2) this bracelet was calling to me from inside the tangle of other vintage pieces.

I thought it was labradorite stones - couldn't get a good look and NOT supposed to open bag - but when I got it home, I noticed that one of the "stones" has an air bubble ... so much for it being an actual stone. Also noticed one "stone" is missing

Anyhow .... I can tell that it is old ... antique even. The rhinestones have an odd "glow" about them and usually have a greenish hue but at a certain angle they look almost peach colored. These seem familiar but I cannot find a good resource for researching old rhinestones.

Can anyone help with their ID and possible age (pre-1900?)?

 

Others will be better able to comment on the stones but... if you need that empty setting, couldn't you transfer one of the stones into it and just remove the setting that would then be empty?

 

I'm considering doing that. I don't like how the old prongs were pressed down, almost flat, to the setting ... not sure how the metal would take to being manipulated again. I don't see any cracks or signs of metal fatigue ...It would just suck if something broke in the process.

 

Can't deny it's a risk. Guess you'll have to wait to hear from the proper joolies.

 

Oh, and thank you for that suggestion, MOS
Sometimes it's just nice to hear someone think along the same lines ...

 

This is saphiret or sappharine glass and very collectible. It might even bring decent money by selling as is and letting someone else decide on the repair.
Here's a link that explains what it is:
http://antiques.about.com/od/jewelryandwatches/g/aa032010.htm

 

And, what a great find. I love it.

Here's one that sold on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vic...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Wow! Thank you Charlotte!! I've heard of saphiret ... but never saw one in person .. and never knew it was sometimes faceted too. What a pleasant surprise
I searched for faceted saphiret and found an almost identical one (it had all its stones) that sold on ruby lane for $375!!!! I'm shocked!

 

Charlotte ("New Member") -- you are a jewel. The links you provided were very informative. Thank you.

 

great eye for spotting that in the bag quirkygirl!
thanks for posting the links Charlotte

 

From my understanding, if the backs of the glass pieces aren't foiled, then they're not rhinestones and are saphiret glass. If they're foiled, then they're glass rhinestones imitating saphiret and are called sappharine. Sappharine is collectible, but not as valuable as saphiret.

I have faceted sappharine rhinestones that I think are from the 1920s, or thereabouts. Mine are glued to a milky white base with holes running through the base so they could be sewn onto fabric. Here's a not so good photo of two of mine...

 

The bracelet on eBay looks so much like yours that it may mean you've lucked out and yours is saphiret.

 

I was looking for an uneven count so as to move a 'stone' from the middle to the end and then put something different in the center but.....
The idea to move one and lose that link is good though will it still fit you?
It looks like brass so it could malleable to move one.

 

Think I missed you but Welcome!

 

Oooo I think I have some buttons or dress ornaments myself!
Will have to go digging.

 

Thank you for that information Pat ... and for showing your beads, too.

All morning I've been 'surfing' trying to get a definitive explanation of how saphiret and sappharine differ. Not getting much info ... and not getting any two definitions that absolutely corroborate each other.

I get what you're saying about foiled vs un-foiled ... and I think the set 'stones' on mine are foiled (new photo to follow) ... but how to explain the dangling ball of the same glass?

The following link is to a bracelet very similar ... although the shape of the prongs holding the stones are different.
http://www.rubylane.com/item/61838-709319x20TF2812/Antique-Victorian-Edwardian-Saphiret-Glass-Brass

Here's a close-up of the back of piece that somewhat shows the foil - paint - whatever it is

 

Yes, it would still fit me - with an inch of dangle ... but I don't think I'll be keeping it. Currently, it measures about 6" to 7 1/2" ... without the one link it would be 1/2" shorter ... which might eliminate too many potential wearers. Sometimes just passing things along in their "as found" condition is preferable to fiddling with them ... this may be one of those times.

 

You lucky duck! That's sapphiret all right, and old at that.

 

nice photo's Quirky......nicer bracelet !!!

 

Some might purchase this just for the sake of owning a piece of saphiret (highly sought after) and not try to alter it. You should still get a decent price for it, as is.