Oh my goodness, do I have something pretty for you today.
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.
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.
Here’s a full view. It has 80 carats of opals (78 stones), 232 rose cut diamonds (7 carats), and 96 pearls.
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.
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.
Last but not least: here’s a detail shot for Pinterest. Aaand a photo strip:
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.
As I mentioned, this spectacular piece is the creation of none other than the great Louis Comfort Tiffany. (It’s his family’s “Co.”) And looking at this piece, it’s not hard to see how the company ended up with such renown. It’s dazzling.
This piece was made between 1914 and 1927, but I’m calling it Art Nouveau because of the style. It features a double-chain of small fancy-shaped links applied with champlevé enamel in shades of blue, green and plum, spaced at intervals by cabochon emeralds. The center of the chain is decorated with a large floral link enameled in blue and green and set with cabochon sapphires, rubies, and an emerald. The center of the chain supporting an unusual blue and plum colored sapphire drop.
This beauty was made in 1910. It centers on a black opal within a textured surround of vine leaves and fruit, decorated with blue and green enamel and accented with circular-cut sapphires and green garnets. It looks to me like the opal’s chipped, which is a shame, but it’s still a lush and memorable piece.
