Long Graduated Necklace of Saltwater Cultured Pearls, c. 1970

Pearl necklaces are timeless classics. Their length varies according to contemporary tastes, but they never go out of fashion. Particularly long pearl necklaces were fashionable in Art Deco, and Coco Chanel turned them into almost iconic pieces. They were seen again and again in the following decades. This necklace strings together 91 large, warm white pearls with a slightly pink overlay to form a long, knotted strand. The pearls are arranged in a slightly graduated pattern, with a diameter of up to 11.5 mm. These are saltwater cultured pearls from the Pacific, probably Akoya pearls, even if the impressive, large diameter of the pearls is rare for this type of cultured pearl. The pearls of the long necklace are quite round, some are slightly baroque, and their surfaces show slight to distinct growth marks and circumferential grooves. The luster of the pearls, i.e. their lustre in the light, is of medium to good quality. Overall, the pearls are of good to medium quality, and the slight variation in shape and luster gives the necklace a certain liveliness. The elegant clasp made of high-carat white gold in the shape of a snowflake is set with diamonds and another pearl. Its design suggests that the necklace was created around 1970. We found the necklace here in Berlin. The development of pearl cultivation has been comprehensively and excitingly described by Elisabeth Strack: Perlen, Stuttgart 2001.

Estimate:£1,095.76

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