Burmese Pastel Natural Sapphire Jewelry Set Vintage 22k
Pastel Natural Sapphire Jewelry Set
Fine Burmese four-piece jewelry parure comprising a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and ring set in 22k.
This is a vintage set showing off the spectrum of Burmese corundum colors.
All stones are natural and unheated gems (see below), the total weight of sapphires is 52.35ctw.
The light and some pastel hues of old mine sapphires fall in line, whimsical, but so delightful.
The pink sapphires are the most striking, then the blue, all other colors display the brightness of lighter hues.
Even where there is no distinct order, the necklace and bracelet are arranged with stronger hues on one side and pastel on the other.
A line design is seen through the necklace and bracelet; the earrings are visible studs in a garland style; the ring in a bouquet spread.
If you consider the individual stones, their hues are lovely but then lovelier beside one another.
The flow of colors strikes one as unexpected but not uncoordinated, and delicate as sometimes noted in Belle Epoche pieces.
These corundum colors are soft but bright, it is their light-infused strength that distinguish the Burmese velvety character.
All the stones are individually framed, bezel linked to another bezel, a tedious handmade affair since none of these old mine stones are calibrated.
Such ‘primitive’ techniques are consistent with Burmese traditional craftsmanship, the gold is sheath-like, it is the stones you see.
With the exception of three stones, all stones are sapphires.
These three non-sapphire stones are: 1 spinel, and 1 topaz, and 1 chrysoberyl.
It is wonderful, and rare, that these came as an intact set.
These pieces are dainty when worn, nothing chunky and maybe just the ring spanning 2cm around.
The set is sweet in a delicate way, suitable for one in search of a ‘tutti frutti’ set, gemstones the opposite of bold/solid, and instead reflective/watery.
The necklace is 18″, with stones bigger towards the centre and a drop flower ‘pendant’, its colorless sapphire weighs 2ct and is an old mine-cut, as precious as an actual old-cut diamond.
The bracelet is 6.75″; the earrings are 22mm around. The ring is US 6.