Antique ArtNouveau Blue AzurMalachite MilapillasMine Cabochon MexicanSilver Ring

Description

First appearing like an intense green-blue black opal without the flash, this bezel-set natural oval-cut cabochon features curvaceous vivid-green malachite clusters without striation pseudomorphed among electric-blue azurite crystal, which is mounted on an elegant antique sterling-silver solitaire ring. It was crafted by an anonymous Mexican artisan during the Art Nouveau movement circa 1900-1914.

This kind of inter-grown azurmalachite is distinct to the famed centuries-old mining area known as Milapillas in the Mexican northwestern state of Sonora within its Santa Cruz Municipality. Arguably the site of the world’s finest azurite specimens just south of the U.S. border, this stone is prized for its thin transparent layer of blue crystal that covers malachite “floaters” for the incomparable bold spotty cool-tone-colour combination. Famous NYC-based fine jewellers since the late 20th Century, such as Jean Schlumberger and David Webb, have coveted these unusual stones. The uncut glass-like rocks themselves are highly valued by mineral collectors, with chunks selling for upwards of $650,000.

Jewellery that is marked only “Mexico” like this ring dates to the early-20th Century since pieces first included this stamp around 1900. At the same time, the leading Art Nouveau jewellery artists created high international demand for multi-colour glass-like stones such as round-cut opals and moonstones, which were favoured by Louis Comfort Tiffany, who became artistic director of his family’s Tiffany & Co in 1902.