Necklaces Archives

Belle Époque diamond, pearl, and onyx necklace.

October 21, 2013

This antique Belle Époque diamond, pearl, and onyx necklace is pure pretty.

Made in 1910, this lovely openwork diamond, pearl, and onyx pendant centers an old European-cut diamond. The diamond is set within a diamond and pearl enhanced foliate design and framed by a geometric pattern of seed pearls and faceted rectangular-cut onyx. It combines so many of my favorite early-1900’s motifs into one; I think the juxtaposition of the hard, clear geometric onyx lines with the soft, delicate foliate details is perfection.

The fine link chain that this pendant adorns is worth discussing too. It’s 24 inches long and features pearl spacers and filigree links accented with diamonds. I think it would be glamour in the extreme to wear this over a colored gown to a formal event, ala Amanda Seyfried in her long Lorraine Schwartz carved jadeite and diamond necklace at the 2013 SAG awards.

This Belle Époque diamond, pearl, and onyx necklace was listed in a Bonhams auction earlier this month. All images and info are thanks to Bonhams.

Antique pink topaz and gold necklace.

October 18, 2013

I have a very severe crush on this antique pink topaz and gold necklace.

This antique pink topaz necklace is from 1830. The chain is made of pairs of looped links surmounted by a stylized repousse bow motif. The central element features 24 oval and pear-shaped foiled-back pink topaz stones set in a floral design which is also decorated with repousse scrolls. The floral design is framed on either side by a spray of finely worked golden leaves. There is also – very fabulously – a single pink topaz adorning the clasp, because why not?

I really enjoy the thickness of the gold chain here: it balances out the sweetness of the sweetly pink foiled-back stones. And how marvelously pink they are ! The foiled-back technique is very characteristic of the time period in which this was made. It means that a thin sheet of material – probably metal – was applied to the back of each pink topaz.

Here’s a close look at some of the details. I wish the original photo had been a bigger; I wanted a closer look at those leaves. But this at least gives you a good view of the fabulous center element.

This antique pink topaz and gold necklace was sold in a Doyle New York Auction. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace.

October 11, 2013

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.

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