Quartz Collectibles and Curiosities

Walking stick: jeweled walking stick, octagonal milord-shaped knob in 18 kt gold with on the top a large central octagonal gold-bearing quartz and 8 oval lateral ones in different co...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

An incredible amethyst formation with central calcite "arch" and calcite spear. Two special calcite formations are shown here; the first is a beautiful arch covered with a blanket...

A very rare and exquisite table-top amethyst formation. The long fromation preserves a prominent golden calcite crystal on a bed of deep purple amethyst and is particularly sculptura...

With the Singularity speaker, the function takes on infinite value. we have built our design up from the most fundamental requirements of the product. Our clear sphere has captured the moment- and has augmented and empowered it- in a stunning work of art that delivers incredible, lucid sound. The Singularity speaker uses the most foundational materials and nothing else: stone, glass, wood, and the finest-quality full-range speaker driver all assembled and handcrafted in Sweden while designed in Denmark. We have encapsulated sound's vibrating air inside the crystal-clear sphere, making for a phenomenal sound that is both transparent and present. This configuration is for a pair of stereo floor...

A very nice and hard to find mixed metals on quartz base dragonfly sculpture by C. Jere for Artisian House, circa 1971. The piece is in great vintage condition with a wonderful pati...

A beautiful hand-carved semi-precious rose quartz stone hummingbird pair, featuring delicate brass beaks and feet, captures the enchanting spirit of ...

Large Chinese hardstone flower tree model in a cloisonné enamel pot Chinese, 20th Century Height 44cm, width 35cm, depth 21cm This impressive flower tree model, crafted from an ass...

Smoky quartz crystal cluster Continental, 20th Century Height 15cm, width 30cm, depth 21cm Formed by nature, the base of the smoky quartz crystal cluster is of a salmon pink shade...

Beautiful sterling and rutilated quartz necklace designed by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe and manufactured by Georg Jensen. Fully signed on neck...

Chinese hardstone flower model in a cloisonné enamel flowerpot Chinese, 20th Century Height 18cm, width 11cm, depth 11cm This intricate flower model combines super cloisonné enamelling with several carved semi-precious stones, making it a highly collectable object. A metal trunk is set within the planter, treated with resin to evoke the natural texture of the bark. The trompe l’oeil illusion is continued via the branches, which are comprised of wire wrapped with brown thread. The branches are capped with a number of nephrite leaves and hardstone blooms, which contrast dark green shades with light red and pink flowers. The petals are carved from carnelian, rose quartz, and jade, and these hardstones can connote symbolic symbolism such as strength and healing. Each bloom is centred by a beaded stigma, the bright colours of which stand out against the hardstones. The cloisonné enamel planter...

The openwork gold pendent mount supports a three sided faceted quartz, each side seal engraved respectively with the crest of Hood within the motto ‘Tria Juncta in Uno for the Order ...

Large hardstone, quartz, gold, nephrite and lapis lazuli model of an alpine flower bed Continental, 20th Century Measures: Height 7cm, width 37cm, depth 27cm A beautiful objet d'art, this exceptionally fine flower bed model is a 20th century continental precious stone and metal model, made from a host of precious materials and assembled with great poise, skill, and artistry. The quartz base underpinning the miniature garden...

Sculptural Sterling Silver Inlay Wrap Ring design features turquoise, onyx, quartz & coral. stamped B W JR Native American silversmith Bryant Waatsa Jr 1 d x .88 w/diameter size 10 1...

A very nice mixed metals on quartz base anchor and sea gulls sculpture by C. Jere for Artisian House, circa 1971. The piece is in great vintage condition with a wonderful patina and ...

A Wonderful Vintage "Jaded Jewels" London Semiprecious Multi Strand Beaded Quartz Necklace

A rock crystal natural specimen piece aka clear quartz, decorative object. Dimensions: 3.5" D x 4.25" W. Marble plinth shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU13142392...

This configuration is for a pair of stereo floor speakers with built-in subwoofer. Our audio evokes the beauty and mystery of the northern lights in a...

A stunning deep purple amethyst cluster with unusually high peaked crystals on metal stand. The polished frame shows mineral layers developing from the rough basalt, to the grey/blue...

Stunning Sterling Silver Quartz Bracelet. Elevate your collection with this bold, one-of-a-kind sterling silver jewelry bracelet handcrafted with approximately 300 carats of natural ...

The gold quartz rectangular ring with a beveled 18-carat gold border, circa 1875, and is mounted on a later (contemporary) 14-carat gold band. It is a larg...

Silver Scandinavian modern pendant with an inserted oval faceted smoky quartz stone. The chain is also silver. Designed by Kupitaan Kulta, Finland. Measures: Chain length: 16&qu...

A beautiful hand-carved semi-precious rose quartz stone crane pair, with intricate carnelian beaks, fluorite crests, and brass legs. This piece blends the elegance of ornithology wit...

Necklace with hyaline quartz beads. Necklace formed by a succession of faceted hyaline quartz discs on their foreheads. Hyaline quartz is also called rock...

This configuration is for a single mono floor speakers without built-in subwoofer. Prices starts from € 7.950 / $ 8.450 Our audio evokes the beauty...

A stunning decorative mineral specimen, composed of a rock crystal butterfly with brass body, on a pink geode obelisk on black marble base. A beautiful acc...

Walking Stick knob made out of green quartz semi-precious stone, oval enamel miniature painted on copper, depicting the rape of Europa and the bull. 18...

An interesting 1940's Mexican 0.940 Silver brooch by Taxco silver designer Héctor Aguilar. The sunflower-shaped brooch is shows an amethyst quartz in the middle and spheres surroundi...

Set of nine natural crystal specimens Continental, 20th century Measures: Largest: Height 9cm, width 14cm, depth 11cm Smallest: Height 3cm, width 6.5cm, depth 4cm This set of nine s...