Lodewyk van Bercken Garnet Earrings
In 1475 Lodewyk van Bercken, a Flemish gem-cutter, invented a gemstone-polishing wheel called a scaif. His innovative polishing wheel enabled Van Bercken to place facets into stones with absolute symmetry, and opened the doors to the creation of complex cuts such as the pear cut garnets featured in this teardrop shaped design.
24k gold vermeil with garnet center stone is accented with blue enamel leaves. Hoop backs for pierced ears. Size: 1 inch.