When we find old pieces, we are immediately smitten by their hand cut charms and the amazing craftsmanship of the jewellers. And when these pieces have a tangible history, it is even more amazing for us. So come take that walk through the streets of Adelaide in the Early 1900s when this amazing Old Cut Solitaire in 18ct Yellow and White Gold by H. G. Rogers of Adelaide.
Started in 1911 in Grote Street, Adelaide, Harold G Rogers quickly established himself as a prominent jeweller with two further premises opening by 1929. But what was life like back then when this amazing hand cut stone was lovingly set in mixed 18ct white gold?
These three pictures show life in the early 1900s in Adelaide (all courtesy of the State Library of South Australia). The first picture is of Grote Street in 1902 – the first location of an H.G. Rogers store only 9 years later and speaks of a generation of hard work by hand – from the cutting of the stones, to the physical building of the city.
Rundle Street was a second location for H G Rogers as the company grew, and as you can see (in 1910) this was a busier part of town, with pedestrians, early motorcars and horse & carts. This bustling early city life was fundamental to the growth of Australia and, following the gold rush, independent jewellers were a huge part of this.
We were also really pleased to find a reference to the man Harold Rogers himself. This photo of King William Street in 1918 references the car in the shot as car “8980” as belonging to Rogers. The expansion to three locations, becoming president of the South Australian Jewellers' Association (in 1923) and his ownership of a car, shows just what a businessman he was. However, Anne Schofield’s “Australian Jewellery 19th and Early 20th Century” makes no mention of him, and there are very few resources that do (but this was the plight of so many jewellers of the time and we are so glad we are able to get some information gathered). However, our trusty Cavill, Cocks, & Grace “Australian Jewellers” does and based on the craftsmanship of the ring we have found we are not surprised he was doing as well as he was.
The jewellery of H. G. Rogers
This old cut solitaire is everything we love in old cuts. This beauty is very nearly round, and with that central open culet we are reminded of the work that was put in by hand with machinery to meticulously polish every facet. Those less familiar with old cuts will wonder what the open culet is about. Well, they are a beautiful marker of those older stones, where they did not have the precision tools to get a pointed set of facets meeting in the middle of the base of the stone, so they flat polished it. What we are left with is that amazing little dot, that harks to this amazing era. Set in a hexagonal white gold topped setting, the claws are protected and there is still evidence of the milgrain detail, showing just how well preserved this piece has been in its nearly 100 years of age. Set on an 18ct yellow gold hand carved basket and band, this solitaire is a stunning example of the use of white gold to bring out the whites in the diamond and the richness of the gold to sing in the sunshine.
Rogers love of mixed metals is clear in this fabulous advert from “The Chronicle” in 1933, featuring a five stone 18ct gold and platinum set ring, but it also is a wonderful reminder of their prominence in the city at that time.
Sadly, this was not to last, and by the 1960s H. G. Rogers was no more. But luckily, we have amazing reminders of their beautiful designs and can document these Early Australian pieces in photos and writing as a testament to the amazing craftsmanship of these jewellers.
If you are in the mood to own a piece of Australian Jewellery, shop here.
K x