Gallery of Rare Jewels | David Humphrey Period Jewels

Platinum on gold, this ultra feminine diamond bracelet is also set with the very popular natural, unheated Montana sapphires of the period. Circa 1911 and signed BS&F.

A bustling tourist trade in Egypt at the turn of the century was brought on by the craze for the Grand Tour of the Orient. People’s fascination with the exotic was inspired by the numerous archeological finds of the period. This brought people from the continent to the East by the shipload. Look closely at the refined treatment given the scarabs. Possibly made by an Egyptian goldsmith to European taste or likely, upon the traveler’s return to Italy or London the scarabs were given over to a local goldsmith for setting in a perceived Egyptian style.

This large antique brooch is a treasure of museum quality. It dates to circa 1860 and features a carved onyx portrait cameo of the historical Greek youth, Antinous. Antinous lived a short but colorful life in the second century. It is well known that he was the favorite of Hadrian the Emperor. After his untimely death at the age of nineteen, Hadrian built many temples in his honor. He was looked upon as a hero and in this portrait cameo he is depicted as the mythical god, Dionysus. The detail and artistic merit of the carving is extraordinary. The cameo itself has been set into an exquisite Etruscan Revival frame of eighteen-karat gold, made also in the nineteenth century. Look carefully and you will see the masterful use of a technique known as granulation. Tiny spheres of gold have been fused to the substratum by the artist to express the sensitive design of this brooch, the perfect carriage for a wonderful cameo.
2 3/16 x 1 15/16 inches

Dating to the first Quarter of the 19th century, this precious Georgian ring of silver, gold and diamonds, features a natural color pink topaz weighing 3.79 carats. I know the exact weight since we needed to lift this stone from the mount for polishing and minor restoration. The stone is foil-backed but the color has not been enhanced. Elegant, antique and original.

This exquisite necklace by the London firm, Child & Child, features 19 perfectly matched pink spinels (16 carats) and 88 Russian demantoid, garnets (2.50 carats). circa 1911 Item #210GN

This 18K gold dome ring is randomly set with nine round brilliant cut, brown diamonds weighing approx. .58 carat. The satin finish creates a glow on the lady's finger!

By his garments ye shall know him.... A jewel at the heart, a jewel at the center of his head and a crown! A symbol of strength, certainty and self affinity in this sardonyx cameo portrait of a 15th-16th century prince or King.
Approx. 22.85mm in diameter
Undecipherable signature on the polished back of the cameo: Possibly Tharamo?

The finest Afghan Lapis has been cushion cut and faceted to show off its other worldly quality - A blue that is reminiscent of the finest Kashmir sapphires. Set in gold, a cephalopod is engraved on either side as if underscoring the power of this gem.

18th century 21K gold reliquary containing a rock crystal cross.

A Fabulous collection of approximately 45 carats of early Brazilian Cruzeiro Tourmalines in an antique bridal necklace and earrings with detailed provenance!

On October 24, 1928, in London, England at the Church of the Holy Rosary on Marleybone Road, Mister John Sydney Tillotson and his lovely bride Miss Mary Josephine Lila Child were wed. At the time a number of papers made mention of the wedding and covered it in their Society pages...

An ultra feminine Art Deco Period Necklace of Platinum and Diamonds modified with a platinum and diamond pendant set with an exquisite Gem Silica (Chrysocolla chalecedony)cabochon weighing 10.04 carats. Total diamond weight approx. 6 carats including an approx. 1 carat old-european cut diamond.

A ring that could only have been worn by a member of the elite class in 19th c. Burma or Thailand. 22K gold is set with numerous Burmese rubies together with garnets, moonstone, emerald, sapphire and diamond. A stunning ring for the collector or fine gem enthusiast.

This amazing natural color, untreated jadeite and 18K gold buckle shows two dragons chasing after the pearl of wisdom. It measures 2.75 x 1.75 inches
Circa mid 20th century. Signed Loong Shing.