The 16th century marked a pivotal period in garnet history with the discovery of significant garnet deposits within the hills of the Kingdom of Bohemia, known to us today as the Czech Republic. Already acquainted with garnets, this discovery caught the eye of late renaissance Venetian jewelers who traveled to Bohemia and passed on their knowledge, bringing Bohemian garnet jewelry to new heights of construction and beauty. If these gems had hired a PR team, their best marketing strategy would have been the their feature on the adornments of the Russian dresses at the Vienna National Congress, post the downfall of Napoleon in 1815. These dresses caused such a commotion that demand for the garnets skyrocketed, creating their peak in popularity at the later portion of the 19th century.

Often, we can more easily understand a trend after it has passed, and the garnet craze (as I will refer to it) of the 19th century is certainly exemplified in this c 1920’s Garnet Bomb ring. This large ring is a celebration of the bohemian garnet and all its fiery beauty, containing a massive garnet at its center with a triple row halo that decadently descends from the large central stone. I can’t help but envision the large flashing garnet as the sun, and the three rings which encircle it, as the orbits of Mercury, Venus and Earth as they dance around her. This orbital garnet bomb will undoubtably go fast, as modern women are just as enchanted by them as the victorians were in the 19th century, be swift and scoop her up before she’s gone!

Materials and Features: 14ct gold shank, Bohemian garnet

Age/Origin: Czech Republic c. 1920

Measurements: 18 grams, Size 9.5

Condition: Gorgeous Condition, little to no associated age wear.

Please view and inspect any photos closely. We endeavor to fully disclose all condition information clearly and concisely, however, please note that what qualifies as excellent condition for historical jewelry differs from modern and contemporary pieces; please take the age of the piece into account when examining the piece. Minor age wear is typical and to be expected for antique and vintage jewelry. Unless otherwise stated, gemstones have not been officially graded for color, clarity, or treatment by GIA; any information provided is our own educated, professional assessment.