- Description
- Specifications
A wonderful and unique antique pearl, shell and garnet slide necklace from the Victorian era, c1850! The necklace is made of 14ct gold and features a natural pearl, rhodolite garnets and carved shell dangles. The artistic piece includes fine gold wirework, textured repousse detail, and a shaped leaf and shell design on each side. Five pretty purplish rose garnet gemstones decorate the front, each enclosed in bezel collet style settings with small claws folded over. A bow shaped single white natural non-nacreous pearl sits behind the wirework and garnets. The pearl exhibits a characteristic flame structure on the surface of the gem, when viewed under magnification. This wavy flame like structure is typically associated with the rare conch pearl that is produced by the Queen conch!
There is a small memorial hair locket at the back, adding further charm and mystic to this superb piece!
Suspended from below are two white carved tulip style shells, each with open wire caps and four smaller bezel-set garnets. A smooth foxtail link chain makes up the rest of the piece - the slider no longer slides through the tubes (one side appears to be soldered). A flange shaped corrugated hook style clasp secures the necklace together. No stamps are seen to the piece, however the piece tests to 14k gold or above.
An exquisite antique piece, a necklace which would easily suit today's fashion!
| Victorian, c1850 | |
| 14ct Gold (tested) | |
| 13 x Rhodolite GARNETS | Shape: faceted rectangular cushion | Size: ranging 3mm x 2mm smallest to 4.24mm x 3.80mm largest | Colour: purplish rose | Weight: 1.75 carats estimated weight 1 x NATURAL PEARL (non-nacreous) | Shape: bow | Size: 15.53mm long x 8.22mm wide (widest point) | Colour: whitish | Surface: flame structure. 2 x SHELL | Shape: carved tulip/flower buds style | Size: 15.60mm long approx | Colour: white | *Gemstones tested by a FGAA Gemmologist with professional gemmological equipment. | |
| - | |
| 13.03 grams | |
| 42cm (16" + inches) length, 5.20cm (2" inches) pendant drop | |
| The overall condition of the necklace is very good. Garnet stones and shell are in fantastic condition with no major damage, the conch pearl does bear a very small nick near the back edge. A small section of wire looks to have bent slightly at some stage (the lower section over pearl), and the garnet reinstated crooked atop wire. Maintenance work is noticed to the back of the piece, and a small repair to the chain which is a little rigid in one section. These minor flaws do not reflect upon the overall appearance of the piece. A wonderful antique necklace! |
