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During the 19th century, and in particular the ...

Jan 22

During the 19th century, and in particular the mid-late Victorian era, a love of and fascination with the natural world was widespread. In a period now renowned for its sentimentalism, it is unsurprising that symbolism was rife and meaning was attached to flora and fauna great and small. For the Victorians, the butterfly represented the soul. The metamorphism from unassuming caterpillar to beautiful butterfly symbolised the growth of the human soul and the butterflies’ flight was seen as representative of the flight of the soul from the body upon death. Butterflies were widely depicted in jewellery both at rest and in flight, their beautiful form and colours lending themselves perfectly to decorative jewelled items from brooches and hair ornaments to necklaces and earrings. This particular brooch has lovely proportions and the added suggestion of an overall heart shape from the rounded antennae to the point of the wings, lends a further sentimental notion to the piece.

hancocks_london

This stunning Italian gold and diamond bib ...

Jan 21

This stunning Italian gold and diamond bib necklace is by Mario Buccellati, c.1960s. The wide flat openwork design has been exquisitely crafted and is very finely articulated which creates a fabric-like feel to the piece with incredible suppleness and fluidity. It has a lovely weight to it and drapes elegantly around the neck, it is a joy to wear. Swipe for more pics and see our website for full details.

hancocks_london

1950s Cartier gold figure of eight bracelet - ...

Jan 20

1950s Cartier gold figure of eight bracelet - twisting, turning, linking in a never ending circle of infinity inspired motifs. Now and forever a perfect jewel.

hancocks_london

Something a little different for us but we just ...

Jan 19

Something a little different for us but we just couldn’t resist this Cartier Art Deco evening bag when we saw it. The rectangular envelope style clutch bag was made c.1925 in floral patterned silk brocade and has a stunning jadeite jade and diamond clasp. Certified Burmese and untreated it measures 23.7mm x 16.4mm and is a wonderful colour. Swipe for jade close ups and interior view and find full details on our website.

hancocks_london

This Australian black opal is full of beautiful ...

Jan 18

This Australian black opal is full of beautiful fiery flashes of colour and is set in a fabulous 1950s cocktail ring with diamond shoulders that make me think of fireworks or sunbursts. This colour flash effect is known as ‘play of colour’ and is caused by the splitting up of white light into its spectral (ie rainbow) colours. This occurs due to the physical structure of the opal which is formed of tiny silica spheres. When light passes through the gaps between these spheres it gets spread out and depending on the size of the gap we will see the different colours from red through to violet. So there’s a mini gem lesson for you, I’m sure lots of you knew that already but maybe some didn’t and it can help you appreciate and understand the magic of opals just a little more.

hancocks_london

We love the beautiful creamy colour and soft ...

Jan 15

We love the beautiful creamy colour and soft lustre of these natural pearls. The three row necklace, circa 1925, is strung to sit perfectly flat with natural saltwater pearls that have very subtle pinkish overtones. And it has a dream of a clasp - a diamond pansy lovely enough to worn at the front never mind the back. Full details on the website.

hancocks_london

We do love an Asscher and I think this is a ...

Jan 14

hancocks_london

They may not be scented but they’ll last ...

Jan 12

They may not be scented but they’ll last forever. 🌸 Our beautiful flower earrings are set with 2.54cts of diamonds, the twelve matched pear shape diamonds creating the prettiest six-petalled blooms, all set in platinum with super secure alpha backs.

hancocks_london

Weighing in at a mere whisker under 7cts between ...

Jan 11

Weighing in at a mere whisker under 7cts between them, these wonderfully elegant elongated Colombian emerald drops have each been topped off with a diamond and finely articulated to ensure maximum swing and movement when worn. 💚

hancocks_london

Made in 1921, this chic diamond and onyx cross ...

Jan 10

Made in 1921, this chic diamond and onyx cross pendant is by Van Cleef & Arpels. Finely hand crafted in platinum and set with two rows of beautiful bright and lively old European cut diamonds, interspersed with tiny old and rose cut diamonds, it has been edged with a very fine black onyx frame. This wonderful pendant measures almost 3” long inclusive of bale and is set with over 9cts of diamonds which are well matched and beautifully sparkly, the platinum has been expertly pierced out and the diamonds so carefully and expertly set that the metal seems to disappear. It is an impressive, statement pendant in monochrome colours that could be hung from a chain, pearls or even a ribbon.

hancocks_diamonds

Asscher attack! They just don’t cut them like ...

Jan 9

Asscher attack! They just don’t cut them like they used to! #asscher #antiqueasscher #antiquediamond #recycleddiamonds #antiquediamondring

hancocks_london

A Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from 1976 ...

Jan 9

A Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from 1976 designed as a circle of pretty gold and diamond foliate motifs resembling ivy leaves. Set with approximately 3.5cts of diamonds and made by the workshop of master goldsmith André Vassort it is a lovely wearable piece. Full details are on our website.

hancocks_london

Our gorgeous pigeon’s blood ruby ring by Oscar ...

Jan 8

Our gorgeous pigeon’s blood ruby ring by Oscar Heyman is now up on our website. Perfectly set off by a pair of half moon diamonds, this fiery red gem has the ultimate colour and saturation for a ruby.

hancocks_diamonds

Our three stone old European brilliant cut diamond...

Jan 8

Our three stone old European brilliant cut diamond rings are hard to beat. Matching these beautiful old cut stones is no easy feat, and once you do the craftsmanship needs to be perfect. #oldeuropeancutdiamond #antiquediamonds #recycleddiamonds

hancocks_london

A little something sparkly for the ...

Jan 7

A little something sparkly for the weekend.✨Fancy in colour and old mine cut in shape - this is one gorgeous diamond. Full details on the website.

hancocks_london

A lovely long row of roses - 28” and 22.4cts to ...

Jan 7

A lovely long row of roses - 28” and 22.4cts to be precise. Set in super simple spectacle settings so that both sides can be appreciated and with tiny links between, these diamonds flow in a continuous circle around the neck. An old style of cut that looks contemporary and chic, this is a versatile and rather lovely necklace.

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