Pin Up Ring

The Francesca Villa "Being Crystal" collection is made with vintage Essex Reverse rock crystals that were crafted in the UK in the late 19th and early 20th century. Crystal carving and painting is one of the few art forms of modern times to develop in secrecy, being passed from one generation to the next.

Rock crystal mined in Brazil and Madagascar was meticulously cut by hand with diamond saws. Once the stone is shaped into a perfect cabochon, the miniature drawing is done on the reverse side of the crystal with watercolor. The image is then etched into the gem with a scribe pencil. As many as 250 tools are used to engrave the back of each crystal.

When the image has been completed to the artist’s satisfaction, they then paint the crystal, resulting in a vibrant "miniature painting."