Etruscan Revival in style, which is a style of old Rome now known as Tuscany. The cross is handmade of 20 karat yellow gold and marked 20c. The cross has a “filigree” decoration added on top of the gold (this is not the same as the open work filigree at we think of today) The gold is bloomed, bloomed gold is dipped into an acid to give it the dull unpolished look of the Old Roman look from the 7th Century B.C. Then the polished gold decorations were added after the blooming. A small natural hand cut and hand set Sapphire is set in the center of the cross.

The Sapphire Gemstone: The sky is just a gigantic blue sapphire stone into which the earth is embedded – this belief was cherished in ancient times. And, in fact, does there exist a better image to describe the beauty of an immaculate sapphire of purest blue? This color, which is strongly associated with sapphire, is also linked to emotions such as sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty. These emotions belong to features which are permanent and reliable – emotions where overwhelming and fiery passion is not the main element, but rather composure, mutual understanding and unshakeable trust.
Sapphire blue has thus become a color related to anything permanent and reliable, and this is one of the reasons why women in many countries settle on sapphire for their engagement rings. Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness, while at the same time expressing love and yearning.
“Sapphires were used by the Romans for the development of greater trade with India, at the time of the Emperor Trajan. “SAPPHIRE- is the birthstone of September. The finest sapphires are considered to be the blue variety - specifically those from Burma and Kashmir, which are closest to the pure spectral blue. Fine, brilliant, deep blue Burmese sapphires”--This is a quote from “GEMMOLOGY WORLD”.
The hardness of sapphires is 9 and they are considered a precious gemstone. A diamond is a hardness of 10, in comparison.
This pendant dates from 1850 to 1860 and came out of the Philadelphia area. This is a very expensive looking cross pendant nice to wear with dress or casual clothing. The size is 1 ½ inches tall and 7/8 inches wide. Lovely Pre-Civil War period item you would be proud to own and wear.