Antique Cut Back Collet Agate Necklace

It's the simple things that make beauty. This necklace holds a naturally beautiful agate in a cut back collet frame. Cut back collets were popular in the 18th and early 19th century, a forerunner of the modern prong setting. They were created by cutting away gold from a thick bezel thus forming "tines" that come up over the stone. The process of removing metal rather than adding it allows you to see the tool marks and the simple beauty of hand crafting. The agate in this piece is lovely earth tones, which are complemented by the rich gold. The pendant dates from the early 1800's and the chain is new.

Details.....The agate pendant measures 1.54" x 1.06" and the chain is 18" long. The gold in the pendant is 18k and the chain is 14k. It is in lovely condition.