Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
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In July 1831, a natural phenomenon of spectacular proportions took place off the southern coast of Sicily, not far from the fishing village of Sciacca: an undersea volcano erupted and raised a new island from the depths of the Mediterranean with tremendous force. Fishermen watched the fiery eruptions with fascination - and were soon faced with a geological miracle: a piece of land had emerged where previously there had only been water.
As soon as the smoke and ash had cleared, a diplomatic race broke out: The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies claimed the island as its own and christened it Ferninandea in honor of King Ferdinand II. However, Great Britain also coveted the newly created territory - and named it Graham Island. The French fleet poetically named it Julia, and Spain also laid claim to it.
What the powers of Europe did not have, however, was patience: by 1832, the sea had already reclaimed what the fire had created. The waves wore away the fragile land until it sank - leaving only a shoal hidden beneath the surface.
But that was not the end of the island's story.
The volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes in the region had led to a massive coral die-off. The dead, sub-fossil corals formed one of the most important deposits in the entire Mediterranean. Over decades, these corals were permeated by the seawater and took on a delicate salmon-colored hue that made them unique - a luminous legacy from the depths.
In 1875, the treasure was finally unearthed - by chance: the Sicilian fisherman Bettu Ammareddu, captain of a trawler, lost his necklace - a gift from his lover - over the very shallows where Ferninandea had once lain. While diving for the piece of jewelry, he discovered a seabed richly covered with coral. Soon after, targeted mining began, triggering a veritable boom. But like the island itself, this wealth was fleeting: by 1915, the deposits were exhausted - all that remained was the memory of a salmon-colored treasure from the womb of a forgotten volcano.
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Size & Details
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You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.
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