Drayson Emerald and diamond ring, English, circa 1940

This piece is in excellent condition.

A London based company, Drayson was founded in 1936 by Keith Cecil Drayson, and was originally known as Cecil Drayson LTD. The family had been involved in jewellery for many years prior, dealing in antique jewellery and gemstones since the start of the 20th century.

Drayson was particularly known for their production of fine Art Deco jewels, indeed they were the only English firm which could rival the French jewellers with the quality and style of their Art Deco pieces which were beautifully crafted.

They also became known for the high quality sculptural designs they produced over their 30 years in business. Today any jewels by Draysons are rare to come by.

Upon Drayson’s death in 1963, the firm was purchased by competitors SJ Rood, ending their brief time in business, yet ensuring the illustrious legacy of this London jeweller.

First discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830s, these emeralds are known for their bright colours and high clarity. Malysheva was the most famous of these deposits and the world’s largest emerald producer at the start of World War I. During the Soviet era, this deposit was nationalized and mined for beryllium instead of emerald.