Our late Edwardian, or early King George V, period 10K white gold filigree necklace with two pearl accents and a pendant centering a striking synthetic ruby is as much an essay on scientific advancements as on jewelry fashions heading into the geometric Art Deco style. In 1902, August Verneuil (1856 -1913), a French chemist working under the head of chemistry at the Natural History Museum at Paris, France, announced the first commercially viable method of “growing” gemstones in a laboratory. Called the “flame fusion” method, the Verneuil Process used the newly developed oxyhydrogen torch to synthesize the chemical equivalents of naturally existing corundum, i.e., rubies and blue sapphires. The method has been modified over time, but the basic formula remains close to the original and is still called the Verneuil Process. The availability of synthetic gemstones has been a boon to modern industry, but most man-made rubies and sapphires from the first quarter of the 20th century, while used in conjunction with natural gems and set in precious metals, are generally smaller and set less prominently than ours. Alike in every way to a natural ruby, inclusion-free gem quality stones the size or our example were difficult to make, giving us a special piece. Condition: Excellent: Dimensions: 10" drop.