Antique Vintage Deco Retro Sterling Silver CINI Amethyst & Citrine 31.5" L Belt

Description

We have similar Belt Buckle and Retro items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Buckle" or "Retro" under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing Description by: Dylan L.
The Piece
Age Circa:
Retro C. 1940 - 1950
Markings:
Marked "STERLING" on the back of each of the links as well as "CINI" on the back of one of the links, Tested, and Guaranteed
Country of Origin:
United States
Brand:
Cini
Gram Weight:
280.7 Grams
Metal Type:
.925 Sterling Silver
Material:
--
Main Stone:
Tourmaline
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
4.04 Carats, Measures 10.1 mm in diameter, Semi-translucent bright green hue
Accent Stone:
Amethyst, Citrine, Aquamarine
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
The amethyst is 3.41 carats, Measures 10.1 mm in diameter, Semi-translucent deep purple hue; The citrine is 3.41 carats, Measures 10.1 mm in diameter, Semi-translucent orange-yellow hue; The aquamarine is 3.52 carats, Measures 10.1 mm in diameter, Semi-translucent light blue hue
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts:
Round Faceted Cut
Item Measurements:
The belt measures 31.5" long and measures 1.96" wide.
Collectible Type:
Cini Belt
Men's or Women's:
Women's
Notable Features:
This belt was handmade in the Retro period of the Art Deco era. This gorgeous Cini belt features a floral and heart motif, as well as a multitude of precious stones. The use of so many precious stones in this necklace is an excellent example of the Hollywood Regency style, which rose to popularity during the Retro period. Eager to show off their wealth and style, Hollywood celebrities and socialites would adorn themselves with glamorous jewelry featuring many precious stones. This necklace was made in the style of Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, & Tiffany designs that were influencing the Hollywood Regency style, making the viewer think of the likes of Ava Gardner, and Katherine Hepburn.
There are four different types of precious stones. Each of these stones is held in place using a .925 sterling silver bezel setting, which is in the center of a heart motif. The furthest left link contains a tourmaline stone. This stone is a semi-translucent bright green hue and measures in at 4.04 carats. There is an amethyst stone two links to the right of the tourmaline stone. This gorgeous amethyst features the semi-translucent deep purple hue that this variety of stone is known for. The amethyst measures in at 3.41 carats. To the right of the amethyst is a citrine stone, which also measures in at 3.41 carats. This stunning stone is a semi-translucent orange-yellow hue. The final stone is an aquamarine stone, which is 3.52 carats. The aquamarine stone is a semi-translucent light blue hue. Each stone features a round faceted cut. The stones were all specifically faceted to catch and reflect light as the belt moves, adding a glamorous sparkle to this lovely item.
The belt itself was handmade in the United States by a talented artisan for the Cini jewelry company. This belt would have been custom ordered, which can be seen in the specific foliate and floral motifs. One of the foliate motifs is a Scottish thistle, which is a traditional symbol for resilience in  Scotland. There are also orchid motifs as well as hydrangeas. There are starburst motif expanding outwards from the bezel settings of the heart motifs. This belt is incredibly rare, as Cini very infrequently made belts, especially not custom made belts. This makes this incredible item a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This belt can easily be adjusted size-wise, as the links could be removed and replaced quickly. A classic example of Hollywood Regency jewelry from the Retro period, this necklace would make an excellent addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to preserve this piece of cultural history.
Damage:
Age appropriate wear. This item is ever so slightly tarnished in places, which is to be expected of an item this age. The price of this item has been reduced to reflect this.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Art Deco era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and caliber cut stones that are specifically cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
The Hollywood Regency style came into fashion during the 1930s, ushered along by the Golden Age of Hollywood. This style was heralded by bright, contrasting colors and modernization of the opulence of Baroque styles, featuring a deliberately frivolous extravagance that screamed glitz and glamour. “Big girls need big diamonds” was taken to heart, and the gorgeous Hollywood stars decked themselves appropriately, with blindingly glittering jewels to showcase their lives of luxury.
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that comes in a wide array of colors and has been fundamental in jewelry for centuries. The Empress Dowager Cixi, the last Empress of China, loved pink tourmaline and bought large quantities of the stone from the Himalaya Mine, located in California, which, along with Maine, was one of the world’s largest tourmaline mines in the world.
Amethysts are a semi-precious variety of quartz that are valued for their varying shades of translucent purple hues. The purple color is derived from iron and other trace element deposits. Throughout antiquity, amethysts were used in religious and royal jewelry, and were considered as valuable as rubies, emeralds, and even sapphires.
Citrine is a variety of quartz that features a golden yellow hue. While yellow is the most common color, it can also be seen with a greenish-yellow, brownish-yellow, or orange tint. One famous variety of citrine is Madeira citrine, which is named for the Madeira islands off the coast of Portugal. Citrine takes on a deep orange or reddish tint when heat treated.
A stunning variety of the mineral beryl, aquamarine was named after the Latin word for seawater. Aquamarines with visible flaws are uncommon and the cost of producing synthetic aquamarine is high, therefore most aquamarine gems are natural. Light blue topaz is often mistaken for aquamarine. The large size of its crystal lattice makes many of its specimens ideal for faceting into larger sized gemstones, and thus it is seen in many opulent designs from various periods in time. Royalty commonly favored these large, precious stones. Varying in color from light blue to light green, its subtle beauty carries over well into a wide variety of jewelry styles. The value of aquamarine is often based on how limpid, or clear, it is in appearance.
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