ABOUT:
Gah, I love this one! The diamond appears positively massive and it is such an interesting stone. : )
French antique diamond necklace with a large and chunky old mine cut diamond with such a beautiful hue measuring over 2.5 carats alone. The large diamond is suspended in prongs to catch the light and dangles from a beautiful linear setting that is set with rose cut diamonds for an added glint of sparkle. This all being set on a dainty cable chain.
The diamond is a gorgeous champagne in color, lighting up to more yellow in hue in direct light. This is a diamond with character! This one is for the lover of antique diamonds and their quirks!
We know that no two antique diamonds are ever alike, having been hand cut by experts, in much more limited supply compared to the millions of carats of modern machine cut diamonds produced each year now. These have stood the test of time! We love them because they are unique, sustainable and conflict free. And diamonds with hues and of this size then becoming even more rare as they were uncommon in the first place.
The large diamond is set in an illusion setting where at the base of the setting below the prongs, the metal halo / frame is topped in white gold to make the diamond appear larger.
This piece including the chain is primarily in beautiful warm antique yellow gold and is crafted in 18k with French hallmarks. The bezels holding the rose cuts and the prong setting are topped in white gold as was customary for the period to set diamonds in a white metal. Note the pendant is fixed to the chain on each side so it stays put always at the center of the chain and does not slide.
This natural stone is included, giving it a sort of galaxy design within, with some warm and carbon inclusions giving some areas a salt and pepper effect. With fancy color diamonds, color is the dominant value factor. Diamond clarity does not add as much value in fancy-colored diamonds because a diamond’s color is the most sought after feature. It is also worth noting it can be more common to find inclusions in colored stones due to how they were formed in the earth, the chemical structure of the stone causing the coloring can also cause said inclusions. Fortunately, stones with hues does help mask the natural inclusions in the stone. These also give the stone its sort of color changing attributes, as the hues shift from direct light to ambient light based on how the inclusions and the stone catch the light - quite fascinating. But still - this is not the piece for those who like their antique diamonds bright white and crystal clear. This is for collectors like me who love the one of a kind eccentricities that antique diamonds provide.
Found in Paris - French hallmarks for 18k gold on the clasp, loop and twice on the side of the bar portion of the pendant to indicate all parts 18k gold.
Antique box / props not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
MEASUREMENTS:
The diamond is about 8.8mm cushion cut, totaling over 2.5 carats. I do not remove stones from the settings for exact measurements so this is an estimate. The rose cut are small, around 2mm, in addition to the above carat weight of the old mine cut.
The pendant dangles 42mm from the top bar of 3 rose cuts to the bottom of the large diamond setting. The halo setting around the base of the large diamond is 11mm in diameter. The setting is 5.8mm deep to the crown of the diamond. The pendant and the chain together weigh 5.8 grams.
Chain is just under 17 inches in length stretched end to end with the pendant at center.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
A unique and special antique stone that the modern Four C's scale would grade poorly to a fault, as back then they didn't place emphasis on such things. The inclusions are eye visible and can reflect around the stone. There are carbon spots in the center of the stone extending to large warm crystal areas and a few additional carbon spots. There are inclusions at the culet as well, coming to the surface and leaving unpolished areas around the culet that also reflect around. All of this diamond jargon in my mind contributes to its uniqueness.
Some wear to the prongs, especially one but the diamond is still held on all sides and does not move. This is something to keep an eye on over time and consider gentler wear or reinforcing / re-tipping by a jeweler for 24/7 wear. There is an additional loop at the top of the pendant, on the bar holding the three rose cuts. I don't know if this is for decoration or why there would be a loop there but could easily be nipped off if desired.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
I dearly love, collect, use and sell antiques so please check out my other listings and thanks so much for stopping by my shop!
SOCIAL:
Please also feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
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