Antique 1880s Victorian agate panel bracelet

A Victorian rolled gold bracelet with five banded agate-set panels. Each agate is different, with a wide range of colors that include creamy mauve, smoky grey, dusty beige, and mocha brown. The agate slices are quite thick with gently beveled edges and rounded faces, both front and back. Set with open backs, allowing for the maximum passage of light. Oval bezels, crimped bar spacers, and a hidden clasp. Largest agate is 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" oval - a gorgeous size. A beautiful example of Victorian agate jewelry.

Victorian stone or "pebble" jewelry was popularized by Queen Victoria, who vacationed with her family at Balmoral castle in Aberdeenshire and delighted in rock and "gem" hunting while she was there. The Queen often used jewelry to commemorate the important, sentimental moments and relationships in her life and her experiences in Scotland were no exception. She had jewelry made for herself, her family, and her friends from the humble agates, jaspers, and quartzes native to the land. It was not long before the Queen's subjects wanted Scottish "pebble" jewelry for themselves, too. Originally produced mostly in Scotland as souvenir jewelry, increased demand soon meant that jewelers all across Great Britain were making and selling brooches, bracelets, and necklaces in this style.

Measurements: 7 1/2" end to end, 57.2 grams
Era: 1860s-1890s, Victorian
Markings: N/A, English in origin