Garnet Appraisal

Bohemian Garnet Cluster Necklace

The item is a Bohemian Garnet Necklace, characterized by its deep, rich reddish-brown to dark red hues inherent to garnets. The necklace features a distinctive cluster design, where small, faceted garnet beads are meticulously arranged to form floral or star-shaped motifs. These clusters are interspersed along the length of the necklace with larger, individually faceted garnet beads that appear to be a mix of elongated briolette or marquise shapes and possibly flat, polished chips, adding textural variation. The beads are translucent to opaque, with a visible sparkle from the facets when light hits them. The construction appears to be stringed, likely on a sturdy thread or wire, given the age and typical methods for such pieces. There's no visible clasp in the image, suggesting it might be an opera-length continuous strand or a very long necklace meant to be doubled. The overall condition appears good for its likely age, with no obvious signs of significant damage like chips, cracks, or missing beads, though some minor wear or tarnishing on the stringing material might be present upon closer inspection. The absence of maker's marks or specific stamps makes precise manufacturing details difficult to discern, but the style strongly suggests a mid to late 19th-century Bohemian garnet piece, a popular style during the Victorian era due to the availability of garnets from Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic). The craftsmanship indicates careful hand-assembly, common for period jewelry, highlighting hundreds of small, intricately cut stones.