The Encyclopedia · Stones & materials
Rock crystal
Colorless quartz, carved or frosted, a favorite of Art Deco and modernist jewelers.
Rock crystal is colorless quartz. Clear or frosted, it was carved into rings, bangles, clips and brooches by the great Art Deco and modernist designers, notably Suzanne Belperron, René Boivin and Cartier, who often set it with diamonds and platinum for a play of transparency and light.
What to look for
Crystal is hard but brittle. Look for chips and fractures, especially at the edges of carved pieces.
In the collection
Rock crystal, available now
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