441
441
Various Makers
Group of sterling silver, variscite, and turquoise jewelry
Group of sterling silver, variscite, and turquoise jewelry
Comprising a pair of earrings set with cabochon variscite by Oscar Retz, c. 1992; a brooch set with cabochon variscite by Leo Feeney for Don Lucas; and a cuff bracelet set with cabochon turquoise by Albert Jake
Sterling silver
Signed Oscar Retz to earrings; L Feeney for Don Lucas to brooch; A. Jake to bracelet
Earrings 2.25 x 1.25 in, brooch 2.75 x 1.25 in, bracelet inner circ. 6 in; Gross weight 61.3 dwts
estimate: $600–800
result: $945
Variscite is a phosphate-bearing mineral used since the Neolithic times as a personal ornament. Found in archaeological sites around the Mediterranean (Portugal, France, Sardinia), the variscite used in Europe was predominantly mined in Spain. Used today for carvings and ornamental objects, it is sometimes confused with turquoise. However, variscite is usually greener in color due to the presence of small amounts of chromium. Most of the variscite in the market today comes from the state of Utah.
This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.