Tiffany Scarab Cuff Links Set in Sterling Silver

Description

The scarab has been a symbol of luck and longevity since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Real beetles are often iridescent in color; but as far as it is now known the only iridescent glass scarab beetles are those made by Tiffany. These glass scarab beetles were pressed from circular molds, each of which produced several different sizes of beetle, which then had to be cut out from a disc after it had completely cooled. None of these is ever signed or marked on the glass, but that does not matter-it is not likely that they will be reproduced. Glass scarabs were used at Tiffany Studios as color accents on lamp bases or, on rare occasions, on bronze pottery. Most frequently, however, they were set in 18-karat gold and sterling silver by jewelers at Tiffany and Company, to be used as stickpins, studs, rings, cuff links, necklaces, and the like.