Victorian Diamond Collar: A Luxurious Gold and Pearl-Set Masterpiece

This Romantic Victorian necklace, circa 1850, is reminiscent of an elegant gold, diamond, and pearl-adorned collar. Crafted in 18K red and yellow gold with a 14K chain, the piece features edges lined with half natural seed pearls, framing a delicate gold lattice with old mine cut diamonds set at each intersection. At the centre, a bow-shaped ornament sparkles with a prominent old mine brilliant, while the locket beneath, perfect for holding a beloved’s portrait, echoes this motif. With approximately 6.00 carats of diamonds in F/I colour and VS/I clarity, this piece captures the essence of Victorian elegance and romance, making it a true testament to timeless devotion.

Antique jewelry object group
necklace with locket

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Romantic Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) in to three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Romantic Victorian Period. This period covers the coronation of Victoria as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and her marriage to King Albert and their love, their devotion to their marriage and to their country are the sources of inspiration for this period. The jewels of this period are made of intricate carvings, special techniques where the enamel is subtly worked. These techniques allowed to give the jewel a certain opulence with less precious metal needed. As precious metals were really rare at that time. Highly favored (semi-) precious stones in this period are amethyst, coral, garnets, seed pearls and turquoises. The connotation is obviously sentimental, symbolic and romantic with reminiscent Gothic and/or Renaissance patterns and an abundant use of motifs like anchors, birds, branches, crosses, hearts and snakes.

Period
ca. 1850
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material 18K red and yellow gold pendant and 14K yellow gold necklace (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Extra information
This is what in our trade is called "a marriage". This means that parts of several jewels, somewhere in their life, where "married" together into this jewel.

Diamonds
One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.81ct
One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.70ct
50 old brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 4.50ct
Two rose cut diamonds . We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

Total diamond count without rose cuts
52 pcs.

Total diamond weight without rose cuts
approx. 6.00 crt with an average colour and clarity F/I, vs/i

All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Precious stones
279 half seed pearls

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The Dutch control mark for 14K gold jewelry that was brought to the essay office in finished condition. This hallmark was in use since 1955.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
necklace length 39,00 cm (15,35 inch), height 5,40 cm (2,13 inch), locket 3,94 cm (1,55 inch) x 3,20 cm (1,26 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
47,00 gram (30,22 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
24211-0279

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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