Product Info

Often, jewelry gets modified over the course of its lifetime, and when the lifetime is as long as this pendant's, there are often several modifications that have been made. This pendant is what's known as a "married" piece, with the arching top having once been part of one piece of jewelry and the articulated bottom section have been part of another; since this is a very compatible marriage, this can be seen most clearly on the back, where the upper section has some engraving and flat surfaces, while the bottom sections have no engraving and gently curved backs. The back also shows evidence of there having at one time been some pieces attached at four spots.

The reason why these two sections make such a compatible marriage is because they are both from the same era and same vicinity, late 18th century Iberia, and both have closed-back settings set with diamonds and emeralds.

The chain is later piece made to hold the pendant and was made during the Georgian revival of the late-19th/early-20th century, which is most likely when the marriage took place as evidenced by the collet-set diamonds used on the chain, which match four collet-set diamonds that were added to the pendant (the bottom dangle, a pair mounted on the surface of the bottom segment, and the diamond at the very top of the pendant). The green collet-set stones on the chain are paste, not emeralds, but nicely match the emeralds on the pendant. The chain has a modern lobster clasp which I added since the original clasp was broken.

This necklace is bold in scale, but is also delicate and romantic, a marriage made in heaven. The hook on the back of the pendant fits perfectly into a slot on the chain, when they are worn together. However, it's also versatile, with a 3/4" slot beneath the hook that allows it to be worn high on the neck as a ribbon-tied choker.

Scroll down for more details