14ct Alexandrite Gold Cocktail Bracelet, 1970

• Brilliant Cut - In their naturally occuring state diamonds have little life or sparkle and for many centuries were simply cut in half and worn in amulets. Invented at the end of the 17th century by a Venetian diamond cutter, a "brilliant cut" diamond has 58 facets arranged in a regular geometric relationship, with 33 above the crown and 25 below on the pavilion.
  
  The introduction of the brilliant cut increased the popularity of diamonds in jewellery as it was the first cut to reveal the fire of the diamond, with the light being internally reflected from one facet to another, and was superior to the previously used table cut and rose cut.Variants to the brilliant cut have emerged since the end of the 17th century, but the popularity of the original brilliant cut has continued to the present time, where it is still the most commonly found cut.
  
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• Alexandrite - Alexandrite is a variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that is prized for its unique ability to appear to change colour under different lighting conditions. It is a highly sought-after gemstone and is often used in fine jewellery. In natural light, alexandrite appears to be a shade of green, but when viewed under incandescent light, it appears to be a shade of red. This property, known as the alexandrite effect, is caused by the presence of trace amounts of chromium in the crystal structure of the gemstone. The colour change is due to the way that the gemstone absorbs and reflects light. Alexandrite is a relatively hard gemstone and is suitable for use in all types of jewellery, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. It is often used as a centre stone in engagement rings, due to its rarity and beauty. It is also used in other types of fine jewellery, such as brooches, necklaces, and cufflinks. The gemstone is typically cut into oval, pear, or cushion shapes and is usually set in gold or platinum.
• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• bracelets, gold with gemstones - gold, other 1,604
• bracelets, type - cocktail 98
• jewellery - alexandrite 63