{"product_id":"abigail-9ct-antique-australian-candy-pink-stone-ring","title":"Abigail - 9ct Antique Australian candy pink stone ring","description":"\u003cp\u003eA really lovely example of an Antique Australian piece by well known Melbourne Jewellers W.J. Moore and Sons. Stamped with Antique Australian hallmarks including the 9 and wheat sheaf for 9ct gold. This is a gorgeous example of late 19th - early 20th C jewellery with elegant split shoulders and clawset crown style setting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stone is candy coloured and absolutely beautiful. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize P \/ 7.5US\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStamp - Australian makers mark 9ct and the wheat sheaf. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.6g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStone - Unsure \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra - Antique Victorian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Story of W.J. Moore \u0026amp; Sons: A Century of Melbourne Craftsmanship\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor collectors of antique Australian jewellery, few names evoke the golden age of Federation-era craftsmanship quite like \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eW.J. Moore \u0026amp; Sons\u003c\/strong\u003e. If you have ever run your fingers over a piece of early 20th-century Australian gold and noticed a tiny, crisply stamped Maltese Cross, you are holding a direct piece of Melbourne’s rich retail history.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet's dive into the fascinating 140-year timeline of this iconic manufacturing jeweller, tracking its path from the bustling streets of late-Victorian Melbourne to its modern-day operations in South Melbourne.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"otQkpb\" role=\"heading\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom Moore Bros to Little Collins Street: The Timeline\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe story of W.J. Moore \u0026amp; Sons mirrors the evolution of Melbourne itself, navigating through the post-gold rush boom, economic depression, and two World Wars.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"KsbFXc U6u95\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1887 – The Foundations:\u003c\/strong\u003e The business is established under the name \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eMoore Bros\u003c\/strong\u003e, operating out of retail premises at \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e162 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1893 – Sole Proprietorship:\u003c\/strong\u003e William John Moore takes full control of the firm as sole proprietor, pivoting the business deeply into manufacturing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1911 – Trademarking the Cross:\u003c\/strong\u003e William registers his distinctive \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\"Maltese Cross\"\u003c\/strong\u003e trademark. It is used alongside the guarantee stamps of the Manufacturing Jewellers’ Association of Victoria (M.J.A.) to certify gold quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1918 to 1942 – The Heart of the City:\u003c\/strong\u003e The workshop moves into the famous laneways of Melbourne's jewelry quarter, operating from \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e340 Little Collins Street\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1923 – A New Era:\u003c\/strong\u003e The firm officially rebrands to \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eW.J. Moore \u0026amp; Sons\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1937 – Expanding the Family Tree:\u003c\/strong\u003e The business officially registers as a proprietary limited company with a capital of £20,000, run by family members C.H. Moore, N.W. Moore, and W.J. Moore.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e1943 – Branching Out:\u003c\/strong\u003e The family enterprise splits into two distinct entities: \u003cspan class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eW.J. Moore and Sons Pty Ltd\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eS.N. Moore and Co. Pty Ltd\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003ePresent Day:\u003c\/strong\u003e The historical trademark was formally retained until 1955, but the enduring lineage of the brand continues to this day. Their modern trade and manufacturing facility still operates out of \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e153 Montague St, South Melbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"otQkpb\" role=\"heading\"\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"otQkpb\" role=\"heading\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow to Identify an Authentic W.J. Moore Piece\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIdentifying a genuine piece comes down to the hallmark stamped on the inside shank of a ring or the back of a brooch. W.J. Moore pieces rely on a three-part marking system:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003col class=\"IaGLZe VimKh\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eThe Maker’s Mark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Look for the signature \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eMaltese Cross\u003c\/strong\u003e pictorial symbol.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eThe Purity Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usually marked as \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\"9\"\u003c\/strong\u003e (9-carat) or \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\"15\"\u003c\/strong\u003e (15-carat) gold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"Z1qcYe\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"T286Pc\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eThe M.J.A. Guarantee Mark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 20th-century 15ct pieces feature a \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\"Hanging Fleece\" (or sheep) symbol\u003c\/strong\u003e—the quality guarantee used by the Manufacturing Jewellers' Association of Victoria. If it is 9ct gold, you will often find it paired with a \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003esheaf of wheat\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnlike mass-produced modern jewelry, W.J. Moore pieces are highly sought after for their distinct Edwardian and Arts \u0026amp; Crafts styling.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThey are particularly famous for low-rise \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eDaisy halo cluster rings\u003c\/strong\u003e, intricate millgraine-edged settings, and fine scrollwork. While they frequently worked with traditional diamonds and seed pearls, they are celebrated for championing Australian gemstones, such as deep \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eAustralian sapphires\u003c\/strong\u003e and clear \u003cstrong class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003ewhite sapphires\u003c\/strong\u003e set in rich 15ct rose gold.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eToday, these items are incredibly scarce, making them an excellent investment for lovers of unique, localized Australian history.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Paste Stones in Jewellery \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAntique paste stones are high-lead glass historically hand-cut and polished to imitate fine gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Originating in the 18th century, these dense, brilliant jewels were commonly foil-backed to enhance sparkle and were prized by both nobility and the emerging middle classes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eParisian jeweler Georges Frédéric Strass (from which the word \u003cspan class=\"eujQNb\"\u003estrass\u003c\/span\u003e is derived) popularized these stones in the 1720s\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eUnlike modern molded rhinestones, antique paste was crafted from flint glass with a high lead oxide content, which increased its refractive index and overall brilliance. Due to their high lead content, paste stones are noticeably heavier and denser than standard glass or modern plastics.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBecause they were individually cut and polished rather than poured into a mold, authentic antique paste stones feature sharp, crisp facet edges.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnder a loupe or magnification, genuine glass paste will often reveal faint swirling patterns and tiny, perfectly round air bubbles.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eJewellers frequently placed colored or metallic foil behind the stones to reflect light, mimicking the deep, vibrant hues of natural emeralds, rubies, or sapphires\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eGeorgian (1714–1837):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Paste stones were set with the same meticulous care as real diamonds. They were frequently set in closed-back silver settings to protect the fragile foil from water and tarnishing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003eVictorian (1837–1901):\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eThe style remained highly sought after, often used creatively in mourning jewelry, novelty brooches, or mimicking semi-precious gems like turquoise.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhile paste itself is simply lead glass, the value lies in the antiquity of the hand-crafted metalwork (often sterling silver or gold) and the historical significance of the piece.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"WaaZC\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rPeykc\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOther info\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rPeykc\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003ePlease check the photos carefully as they are part of the description. These items have been preloved so may have some wear and tear. I do my best to accurately describe items for sale, to the best of my knowledge and research. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rPeykc\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rPeykc\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eFree shipping for orders $500 and over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rPeykc\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping is $10 flat rate within Australia and New Zealand for orders up to $500. Free shipping for orders $500 and over. For overseas purchases please contact me and I will give you a quote and arrange payment. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo change of mind returns\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden Delicious Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43237050450025,"sku":"050100263362","price":765.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0604\/3081\/1241\/files\/DSC3921.jpg?v=1782271929","url":"https:\/\/goldendeliciousvintage.com\/products\/abigail-9ct-antique-australian-candy-pink-stone-ring","provider":"Golden Delicious Vintage ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}