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Art deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir, Cartier.

Why do seed pearls and diamonds look so perfect together?

Detail; Art Deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir by Cartier, circa 1915.

This gorgeous thing was made by Cartier in 1915.  It’s quintessential sautoir, with its woven seed pearl chain, long length, and pendant.

The articulated openwork pendant is set in the center with an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 1.30 carats, which is framed by old mine diamonds weighing approximately 7.10 carats. The pendant loop connecting the pendant to the chain is also set with small rose-cut diamonds. The pendant hangs from a seed pearl necklace, accented by old European-cut and single-cut diamonds.

A wonderfully beautiful antique Art Deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir, Cartier

 The entire piece measures 23 1/4 inches long, so it’s about breastbone length.

Check out this antique photo of  the young Queen Mother, Duchess of York wearing a similar piece in 1924. The pendant isn’t in the photo, sadly, but the chain looks almost identical. How would you style this piece for contemporary wear?

This necklace was sold as part of Sotheby’s February 2001 Important Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 

Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace at Lang Antiques.

Oh my goodness, do I have something pretty for you today.

Alternate view: Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. Via Diamonds in the Library.

It looks like magic, doesn’t it?

This Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker was made at the turn of the century, in 1900. Four incredible rows of glimmering, pastel-hued opals alternate with three rows of sparkling diamond-set flowers, each centered with a lustrous natural seed pearl. These are bordered at top and bottom by a row of pearls. The flowers are set in platinum, the opals in 18 karat yellow gold.

I know you’re dying to see this on a person. I won’t keep you in suspense.

Back view: Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Could it possibly be more perfect? At 13 inches long, this beauty is a true choker.  Just imagine it draping the nape of a Belle Epoque beauty with a grand updo; in my mind’s eye she’s looking coyly over her shoulder at a potential beau.

Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s a full view. It has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls.

Detail: Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. Via Diamonds in the Library.

And a gloriously close detail shot. So, so pretty. And check it out, I even found a lovely (if somewhat blurry) photo of Queen Maud of Norway wearing something very similar in 1906.

Front view: Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here it is from the front. You don’t see things like this much anymore, but I’m positive that the right attitude and the right styling could bring this baby straight into 2013.

Detail: Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900.

Last but not least:  here’s a detail shot for Pinterest. Aaand a photo strip:

Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker necklace, circa 1900. With four rows of opals and three rows of pearl and diamond flowers, this antique choker has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls. At Lang Antiques.

This gorgeous Belle Epoque opal and diamond choker is currently for sale at Lang Antiques. All images and info in this post are thanks to Lang Antiques – and especially to Lisa, who never leaves me hanging, and gifted photographer Cole Bybee, who responded to my request for larger images by doing a whole new photoshoot just for this post.

Wednesday wishlist: colorful costume.

I have a shopping lust right now, and it is for color. The sun is shining in DC and it makes me want to shine too!

Here are some beauties from my current Etsy favorites list. I can’t afford to give all of them a home in my jewelry box, but maybe you can? We’re talking costume jewelry today, so everything’s under $200. Please click here if you’d like to read my guide to buying jewelry on Etsy.

As with any online shopping, please don’t forget to make sure that the pretties you’re admiring are the right size before you pull the trigger. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Art Deco necklace with green chyrsoprase and black and green enamel designs, set in sterling silver. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This beauty is particularly special. From the 1920-30’s, this necklace is marked sterling silver and features green chrysoprase and black and green enamel designs. It’s chunkier and more colorful than the others, more of a classic statement necklace than a subtle accent piece.

Edwardian bracelet with filigree and emerald green glass. Circa 1920's. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I’ve been admiring this Edwardian bracelet for so long that I’m shocked I haven’t already featured (or bought) it. Aren’t the filigree circles with the occasional emerald glass insets beautiful?

Edwardian or Art Deco necklace with lipstick-red glass stones and floral filigree is rhodium or silver plate. Circa 1920's-1930's. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Now this Art Deco or Edwardian lavaliere-style necklace from the 1920-30’s is just as fabulous, but more intricate and from a different color family. The lipstick-red elements are bright glass and the chain and floral filigree is rhodium or silver plate (not sterling). This is another piece that I can see being integrated fabulously into all kinds of outfits.

Vintage green onyx and white gold filigree ring from the 1940's. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This ring is another one that I’ve come close to buying, so I definitely want to hear from you if you decide to adopt it. It deserves a good home – just look how bright and wonderful that green onyx is! And it’s perfection in the white gold filigree setting. This beauty is from the 1940’s.

Stunning Art Deco necklace with aquamarine-colored Czech art glass set in sterling silver. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Okay. This one’s $240, but it’s SO fabulous I couldn’t leave it out. This stunning Art deco necklace features aquamarine-colored Czech art glass set in sterling silver. If I hadn’t had to buy a computer earlier in the month, I’d be wearing it right now. Or one of these other things. Decisions are rough.

This signed Nov E Line Art Deco pendant necklace is rhodium-plated pot metal with paste, green glass, and a gloriously intricate paperclip chain (my favorite). Via Diamonds in the Library.
This signed Nov E Line Art Deco pendant necklace is rhodium-plated pot metal, paste, green glass and a gloriously intricate paperclip chain (my favorite). It’s bright, happy, and on-trend. Apparently I’m in a green mood today, except for the one red necklace.
The images and info in this post are thanks to the seller of each piece – please see individual descriptions for source links. And please do let me know if you decide to gibe any of these pretties a home so that I can congratulate you on your excellent taste.

 

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