OBJECT GROUP : pendants COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe it is of French origin. STYLE : Victorian PERIOD : 1820 THEME : Horseshoe MATERIAL : 18k yellow gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique TECHNIQUE : Silver on gold. This technique finds its origin centuries ago, when jewelers believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. Backing the silver jewel with a (thin) layer of gold was a practical precaution taken to avoid the silver jewelry leaving black stains on clothing or skin. Over the years, with the recognition (and thus use) of platinum as precious metal and the development of white gold the practical necessity to use bi-colored material became obsolete. The argument to use bi-colored metals became more an estetic then a practical one. EXTRA INFO: On the back there are two hooks, you can either put a chain through them or they can be sewn on the clothes like they did in the old days DIAMONDS : 22 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts. WEIGHT : 7.80 gram (5.02 dwt) HALLMARKS : No trace CONDITION : Excellent condition - (click here for our condition scale) MEASUREMENTS : 6,80 cm (2,68 inch) by 4,90 cm (1,93 inch) WHEN REFERRING TO THIS PIECE : Mention the following number: 03105-3757 or click here. Click on the following links to see more of our: Pre Victorian jewelry Victorian jewelry Latest acquisitions.