Catalog (2433)

A fun 18K yellow gold multi-gem H Stern “Sputnik” charm or pendant. Stern was the world’s leading dealer in colored gemstones and created this line of jewelry in the late 1950s to showcase the wonderful array of colored gemstones mined in Brazil, where the company was headquartered . Amethysts, aquamarines, citrines, garnets and green and pink tourmalines are collet-set above the gold sphere. The unusual design was considered very modernistic and dubbed “Sputnik” because of its perceived resemblance to the Soviet space satellite. Each piece of Sputnik jewelry has a unique appearance, depending on the choice of gemstones used. Rings were the most common pieces in the line, but pendants and earrings are quite rare. The small size of this piece makes it ideal to be worn from a charm bracelet or as a pendant from a delicate chain. Marked “750” and signed with Stern’s hallmark.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent. Size: 9/16” diameter. Weight: 2.1 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 1.83 cts.

A handsome pair of vintage 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the square faces in a basketweave pattern. Each open square is filled with a prong-set brilliant round cut blue sapphire. The sapphires are a medium-blue color with eye-clean clarity. The stones are nicely cut for maximum light return and have excellent brilliance as a result. The exposed gold surfaces have a finely engraved Florentine finish. The hinged backs are marked “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Size: 3/4” x 3/4”. Weight: 16.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 1.612 cts.

A nice 1950's 14K yellow gold tie bar set with rectangular step-cut synthetic rubies. The tie bar is quite short, dating it to the mid-century period when ties were very narrow. Narrow ties are once again in fashion, so this is still the perfect gentleman's accessory. Marked "14K".

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Excellent condition. Size: 1-1/4" long. Weight: 3.4 grams.

A very nice modernist silverplate over copper tie bar decorated with a design of coiled silver wire by studio jewelers Morley & Kim Crimi. This use of coiled wire is characteristic of the maker, who more frequently worked in copper than in silver. The back is marked “Morley-Crimi Hand Wrought”.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: good, some wear to lacquered finish near solder joints. Size: 2-3/4” x 11/16”.

Terrific Gorham silverplate figural shot glass in the form of an early American leather fire bucket. The front side is enameled with the emblem of the Chicago Fire Department surrounded with the words “Little Giant Engine Co. 1871”. The back side is modeled to show the leather handle. The bottom is marked “Gorham EP YC3098 CAP 3oz.” Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no dings, minute wear to enamel on word "Fire Dept". Size: 2-3/4” tall.

Interesting vintage pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces set with detailed medallions depicting a Native American above black onyx plaques. The edges are finished in a classic ropetwist motif. The backs are marked "14K."

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: very good, sharp detail; the toggle mechanism on one link is slightly bent, but does not affect functionality and is not visible when being worn. Size: 15/16" diameter. Weight: 20.25 grams.

A nice pair of vintage 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces designed as a pair of discs joined by a diamond-shaped reserve. Each of the discs is engraved in a starburst motif, while the reserves feature oval star sapphire cabochons. The sapphires have good translucency and even, grayish-blue coloring. The stars are very distinct, bright and well-centered. The backs are marked "14K".

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 1-1/4" x 11/16". Weight: 15.1 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 5.75 cts.

A classic late Art Deco or early modernist porcelain water jug advertising Ricard Anisette. In the south of France, tradition dictates that anise-flavored aperitifs should be served with water to dilute the drink. Makers such as Ricard and Pernod provided advertising pitchers to local bars and cafes to increase their sales. This squared-off rectangular form is less common than the traditional globe-shaped pitcher and became popular after World War II. The bottom is marked "Ateliers de Céramique Ricard/Made in France".

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9" x 3-3/4" x 5-1/2" tall.

A very good, large 18K yellow gold Sputnik ring by H Stern. The dome is studded with a variety of bezel-set tourmalines, amethysts, citrines, aquamarines and garnets. Stern popularized the style in the 1950’s to show off the variety of gemstones mined in the company’s native Brazil. Due to its spiky appearance, the design eventually became known as “Sputnik”. The rings were made in a variety of dome sizes, and this example is exceptionally large. The inside of the shank is marked with Stern’s hallmark and with 18K hallmarks.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Finger Size: 8-3/4. Size: dome, 1-1/8” diameter. Weight: 8.7 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 8.0 cts.

A heavy 18K yellow gold Venetian Etruscan Revival style fob charm of elongated lantern form set with almandine garnet cabochons. The gold surfaces are heavily decorated with beaded and ropetwist decoration. The jump ring is marked “Italy 750”.

Origin: Italy, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Size: 1-1/4” long excluding jump ring. Weight: 11.1 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 14.1 cts.

A lovely pair of 18K yellow gold dome earrings studded with bezel-set tourmaline, topaz, garnet, citrine and aquamarine. This style was popularized by H Stern in the 1950’s and was used to show off the variety of gemstones available from the company’s native Brazil. Due to its spiky appearance, the design was eventually called “Sputnik”. The style was mostly used for rings, but also for pendants, charms and earrings. Earrings are quite uncommon. The earrings retain the original post-and-clip backs, but the posts could be removed if desired. The clips are marked “MN 750”.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Size: 13/16” diameter. Weight: 7.7 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 8.36 cts.

A very fine pair of platinum, diamond and aquamarine earrings in a classic Art Deco style. The brilliant round-cut diamonds graduate from .20 ct at the top to .30 ct at the bottom. The diamonds are finely matched at H color, VS1 to VS2 clarity, with good to very good cut. The brilliant oval-cut aquamarines have fine color color, very good brilliance and SI clarity. The aquamarines are unheated. Each gemstone is set in a fully articulated mounting with a pierced gallery. The earrings have screw posts. Tested and guaranteed platinum.

Size: 1-3/4" long. Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 2.52 carats; aquamarine, 3.52 cts. Weight: 9.0 grams.

A handsome pair of mid-century 18K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces collet-set with rectangular tablet-cut pyrope-almandite garnets. Garnets such as these are typically very dark, but these stones have superb clarity and a lively deep orangy-red color. The fine engraving on the gold surface beneath the garnets shows through and imparts just a bit of sparkle. The toggle backs are fully stamped with French 18K gold marks.

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 11/16” x 1/2”. Weight: 12.1 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 15.8 cts.

A classic pair of 18K yellow gold stirrups in the “stirrup” style popularized by Cartier. The surfaces are decorated with engraved parallel lines. This type of decoration, combined with the unusually angular shape, gives this pair of cufflinks a very modernist feel. The cufflinks are fully stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks.

Origin: France, ca. 1970. Condition: excellent. Size: 3/4" deep; 1/4" wide. Weight: 8.3 gr.

A lovely vintage 14K yellow gold heart pendant pave-set with 62 round brilliant rubies by Tiffany & Co. The heart is slightly domed and shimmers in vibrant red. The workmanship is simply outstanding. The back has a folding bail and a pinstem so the piece can be worn as a pin or suspended on a chain. Marked “Tiffany & Co. 14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 7/8” x 15/16”. Weight: 6.7 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 4.5 carats.

A nice pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces set with 12x14mm oval cabochons of green jadeite. The gold settings are hand-pierced in a foliate pattern. The jade is semi-translucent with moderate color mottling and a fine grain. The toggle connectors are marked “14K”.

Ca. 1950. Size: 7/8” x 11/16”. Weight: 9.9 grams.

A handsome pair of vintage 14K yellow gold double-sided cufflinks by Larter. The square faces have slightly rounded edges and feature almandite garnet cabochons. The garnets have strong red coloring without too much of the brown overtones that can make garnets dark. The connectors are marked with Larter’s hallmark and “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 9/16” x 9/16”. Weight: 8.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 4.04 cts.

A rare vintage ruby glass cocktail in the form of a fire extinguisher. The side is silkscreened with instructions for use such as, “In emergencies charge with ingredients, shake well and dispense freely until conflagration is under control.” The shaker retains its original coppertone steel lid and interior strainer.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks to glass, no splits to metal. Size: 11-1/2” tall.