A set of four dress studs, three collar studs and matching cufflinks made in fourteen carat yellow gold and platinum with rock crystal panels set with a natural seed pearl in the centers. This beautiful, and unusual dress set is the perfect way to accessorise an evening suit. A departure from a classic pearl or onyx look, the richness of the purple contrasting against a crisp white shirt adds a luxury to the formal look.

Rock crystal, the pure and transparent variety of quartz, has been used in jewellery and decorative arts for more than two thousand years. Revered for its clarity and ability to capture and refract light, it was often believed to possess mystical qualities. The ancient Romans carved rock crystal into seals, vessels, and personal adornments, while medieval Europeans considered it to be water frozen by the gods for eternity. By the Renaissance, master craftsmen were carving elaborate rock crystal objects for royal courts, transforming the material into a symbol of wealth, taste, and technical skill.

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked a renewed appreciation for rock crystal in jewellery. Advances in cutting techniques allowed jewellers to produce sharply faceted forms that played beautifully with light. During the Art Deco period, rock crystal became a favourite material among the leading houses of Paris, London, and New York. Its colourless transparency complemented the geometric aesthetic of the era and paired effortlessly with diamonds, onyx, jade, coral, and other hardstones. Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and others frequently incorporated rock crystal into their most sophisticated creations.

Rock crystal also found an important place in gentlemen’s jewellery. During the Art Deco era, cufflinks featuring carved or faceted rock crystal became particularly fashionable. The material offered a subtle alternative to gemstones, combining elegance with restraint. Often mounted in platinum, white gold, or yellow gold and accented with onyx or enamel, rock crystal cufflinks reflected the era’s appreciation for clean lines and refined luxury. Their transparency allowed light to pass through the stone, creating a quiet brilliance that remains as appealing today as it was a century ago.

The set comes in its original, stunning, fitted leather and velvet box. In the silk, on the inside back of the lid is the retailer; Milton S. Bowman, New York. This elegant dress set was retailed by one of the many distinguished Fifth Avenue jewelers who helped define New York’s luxury trade during the 1920s. Operating from 512 Fifth Avenue, Bowman occupied one of Manhattan’s most prestigious commercial addresses, serving a clientele that sought exceptional craftsmanship and understated refinement rather than widely advertised luxury.

Although relatively little archival material survives, contemporary records confirm the firm was active by at least 1926, placing it firmly within the golden age of American jewelry. During this period, Fifth Avenue had become the city’s premier destination for fine jewelers, where platinum, pearls, diamonds, and carved hardstones reflected the clean geometry and restrained sophistication of the Art Deco era. Boutique houses such as Milton S. Bowman built their reputations through quality, discretion, and personal relationships, creating pieces that were intended to be worn and appreciated rather than heavily promoted.

This set perfectly embodies that philosophy. The combination of luminous rock crystal and natural pearls creates an elegant contrast of transparency and softness, while its restrained design reflects the enduring appeal of classic formal dress accessories. More than a century later, pieces bearing the Milton S. Bowman name remain tangible reminders of a period when New York’s finest independent jewelers quietly produced objects of remarkable quality for an increasingly sophisticated clientele.

Each dress stud, collar stud and cufflink, set with the pearl, which adds a little soft elegance to the look of the crystal, without being over bearing. The height of the cabochon is also lovely, and will sit well in the center of the shirt. The neautral colours will work well if paired with a coloured shirt or tuxedo, along with a classic black look.

The studs and cufflinks are in excellent condition.  Made in America, circa 1920's. Each stud and cufflink is fully signed with both 14k marks and platinum marks, along with the makers mark for L. E. Garrigus & Company. 

Founded in Providence, Rhode Island during the early twentieth century, L. E. Garrigus & Co. was part of the city’s thriving jewelry industry, then regarded as the center of American jewelry manufacturing. The firm specialised in finely made gold gentleman’s accessories, including cufflinks, dress sets and other small personal objects, selling its work through the nation’s leading wholesale jewelers.

Like many of Providence’s best manufacturers, Garrigus combined skilled craftsmanship with technical innovation, securing patents for mechanical accessories alongside its jewelry production. Although little known today, surviving pieces reflect the quality and precision that established Providence as America’s foremost jewelry-making city during the Edwardian era, making examples by L. E. Garrigus & Co. an uncommon and appealing discovery for collectors.

The set is in perfect condition throughout and ready to be enjoyed for special occasions for generations to come.