Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace.

This Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace is both bold and delicately lovely at the same time.

It was made in 1910, which you may have already guessed from the distinctive style. The fabulous amethyst cameo pendant hangs from a delicate chain set with 84 collet-set old European-cut diamonds (totaling approx 5 carats). The chain is layered to create a double strand effect for much of the necklace but forms a single strand across the nape. The double-stranded portion of the chain suspends the pendant: a oval amethyst cameo set in pierced fancy-shaped diamond-set panels.

I swoon for this piece. Utterly. The strong colors and dramatic visual statement of the amethyst cameo against the ethereal, almost spiderweb-like diamond chain and framing plaques are precisely my style. My only qualm is that, at just over 14 inches, this necklace is a bit shorter than I would ideally prefer. A 14 inch necklace will lie very close to the neck. I imagine it being a bit longer, perhaps at 17 inches.

This spectacular Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace was sold in a Doyle New York auction last month. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.