size: 20 x 15mm weight: 1.43 grams material: platinum gemstones: natural diamonds 1.00ctw, I clarity, h-I color CHAIN NOT INCLUDED Notes from the Curator The bezel setting traces its origins to medieval Europe and ancient civilizations, where jewelers first encircled precious stones in protective metal rims, a technique that predates the prong and claw settings by centuries. This platinum cross employs eleven individual bezel-set round diamonds along its Latin-cross geometry, each stone seated within its own collar of metal—a method that maximizes light return from the top facets while safeguarding the girdle from contact. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the diamond cross had evolved from devotional relic to dual-purpose jewel, worn both as religious symbol and fashion accessory, and platinum's late-nineteenth-century introduction to fine jewelry allowed setters to work a metal harder and more enduring than gold. The total carat weight of one carat across eleven stones yields diamonds of approximately nine points each, scaled to preserve proportion without overwhelming the pendant's compact 20-by-15-millimeter footprint. Unlike prong settings that expose the diamond's pavilion, bezel construction encircles each stone with a continuous rim, offering protection and a clean silhouette that has seen renewed favor in contemporary design for its blend of ancient craft and modern line.