Monday, September 22, 2014

By Karina Frost


Imagining the world without a single hint of jewelry is like being trapped inside a room with nothing but dull walls. This is one reason why jewelers all over the world are admired for their works. Without them and without their creations, this place would lack the color and vibrancy that it has now.

Like all the things that exists, jewelries have evolved from single dots to what we see now. There is one particular kind however, that is strikingly beautiful for every jewelry connoisseur out there. That is what is now known to the world as the micro mosaic jewelry.

Very famous during the Victorian era in the 19th century, this craft was made famous by the Romans in Italy when the aristocratic Grand Tour was also famous. When rich families visit the different parts of Europe, Italy became the usual topic. And why not, it boasts of natural sceneries that are both epic and beautiful. Aside from that Rome was a rising industrial country because of its glass products. This is when the era of micromosaic jewelry began.

Micromosaic art originated from the craft Mosaic. The difference lies in the tiles being used in the craft. This particular art makes use of very tiny glass tiles known as tesserae. The particles are very small that there would be a need of a magnifying glass to see them. Aristocrats would need to pay more especially when they want to have a customized design made.

Micromosaic jewelry was often applied to necklaces and brooches. It can also be seen in some earring designs. The tesserae will be cemented to the flat surface which could be another glass but mostly it is a real gemstone or metal. After finishing the design, it would be allowed to dry and then framed afterwards.

There are times when it would appear as if the piece is painted. It is not. If you would look at it closely in a microscope you would see the fine particles of the tessarae forming an image. Before postcards where invented, a micromosaic piece was the symbol of a souvenir from the place that you have just visited.

Aside from the micro mosaic which originated from Rome, Italy, other forms such as the Florentine and the Venetian mosaic are considered as micromosaic art. Florentine art, also known as Pietra Dura is crafted by using thin and small slices of authentic stones to create an image. It is still cemented to a larger but darker stone to contrast the color of the design.

Antique micro mosaic pieces are being auctioned nowadays and is worth a lot. If you have one and you plan on auctioning it, you need to consider some factors to determine how much it is really worth. How well the condition of the jewelry is, the precision of the work and the size of the tesserae are some of the determining factors. The smaller the tile size is, the higher the price would be.

You can never put a price on art. Micromosaic jewelries are considered true artworks because of the work and the attention put in to it. It is no wonder why a lot of people really appreciate this kind of art and are willing to pay for it.




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