Closed Back

A closed-back setting is a jewellery setting in which the underside of a gemstone is enclosed rather than left open.

This type of setting was particularly common in Georgian jewellery and was often used together with foil-backed gemstones. The enclosed construction helped enhance the colour and visual appearance of gemstones, particularly under candlelight.

In some antique jewellery, a reflective foil was placed directly behind the gemstone to increase its apparent brilliance or deepen its colour. This was especially useful with rose-cut, table-cut and other early diamond cuts, as well as coloured gemstones.

Closed-back settings differ from later open-backed settings, which leave the underside of a gemstone exposed and allow light to pass through the stone.

When examining antique jewellery, the condition of the closed-back setting and any foil behind the gemstone can be an important part of assessing the piece.

Period: Particularly Georgian and early Victorian jewellery
Typical materials: Gold, silver, gemstones and reflective foil
Characteristic feature: Enclosed underside of the gemstone

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Weldons

We love jewellery!! Weldons is a fourth generation family jewellers with over 100 years experience in supplying top grade certificated diamonds and rare and unusual pieces of jewellery for every occasion. We specialise in one-off pieces of vintage and estate jewellery, engagement rings and anniversary rings. We also stock one of the widest ranges of antique Irish silver in the world, from rare 17th and 18th century pieces to modern giftware and tableware.