3066489 Historic pair of ear pendants, c.1760 (amethyst, diamonds, silver & gold) by Russian School (18th century); length: 5.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Of girandole design, each set with three pear-shaped amethyst drops to the diamond foliate motif and octagonal amethyst and diamond cluster surmount, mounted in silver and gold The State inventory of 1925 described these eight amethysts as \'evidently the first procured in the Ural, about 1750-1760\'. It had been Peter the Great who had patriotically instigated the search for precious stones in Russia, with the deep, rich purple of Siberian amethysts becoming amongst the most highly prized. ); Photo 穢 Christie\'s Images.