Kensington House Antiques and Sterling SilverKensington House
Antiques

Vintage Tiffany 14K Gemstone Acrostic DEAREST Charm


browse these categories for related items...
Directory: Estate Jewelry: Gold: Designer Signed: Pre 1960: Item # 1021533
Kensington House Antiques
View Seller Profile
Kensington
Maryland
(301)942-0955

Guest Book
 SOLD, PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN! 
Visa MasterCard American Express Discover
SOLD, PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN!

A delightful vintage 14K yellow gold disc charm or pendant by Tiffany & Co. The center features an intricately cast "Tree of Life" bedecked with gemstone flowers. Starting with the diamond and spiraling outward in a counterclockwise direction, the first letter of each gemstone’s name—Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz—spells “DEAREST”. The tree is enclosed in an open twist border, in turn enclosed in a broad “pleated” border. The back is marked “Tiffany & Co. 14K”.

Acrostic jewelry spelling out such sentiments was very popular in the Victorian era. The gemstones are 19th century antique cuts and Tiffany apparently custom-set them in this piece at a client’s request. The nature of the clarity characteristics suggests that the ruby is Burmese in origin, while the sapphire is Kashmir. Neither shows evidence of treatment, nor are the emeralds filled. The “Tree of Life” pattern was often set with birthstones representing the owner’s children or grandchildren, but the acrostic “DEAREST” is most unusual.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 1-5/8” diameter. Weight: 17.8 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .35 ct.