Three-strand pearl necklace with 18-karat white gold and diamond clasp (750 hallmarked). This vintage “American-style” necklace features three strands of cascading white cultured pearls. The necklace is adorned with an 18-karat white gold clasp in the shape of a knot, fully set with round brilliant-cut, baguette-cut, and 8/8-cut diamonds (33 diamonds in total). The main diamond weighs 0.10 carats. Each strand consists of 63, 69, and 77 pearls, respectively. Dating back to the 1970s, made in France.
Hallmarks: Eagle’s head (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold), 750 (indicating 18-karat gold), and maker’s mark.
Length: 48.5 cm
Clasp dimensions: 16 x 20 mm
Estimated total diamond weight: 0.61 carat
Pearl diameters: 5 mm (minimum) to 8.5 mm (maximum)
Note: The clasp features an 18-karat white gold safety chain. The necklace has been restrung.
Condition: Slight damage to one pearl near the clasp.
Antique French regional necklace in 800 silver. It consists of links adorned with faceted rhinestones in volute motifs. The necklace features a central motif in the shape of a crowned heart with a fleur-de-lis design, topped with a bow. The entire piece is set with white and slightly yellow rhinestones (color alteration due to age). The necklace fastens with a lobster clasp, which was added later, as these necklaces originally closed with ribbons. This antique regional French necklace likely originates from Normandy and dates back to the mid-19th century in France.
Marquise Catalan garnets ring in 18-karat rose gold. This marquise-shaped ring features a navette-cut garnet at its center, surrounded by eight round garnets cut in the Perpignan style. The central garnet is mounted on a structure fixed by attachments/rings to the ring head. The “Perpignan cut” garnets are mounted on paillons and set in a closed setting. They typically have a raspberry, pink-red color, which is typical of Catalan jewelry, with a range of nuances that are revealed in sunlight. The ring has understated decoration on the shoulders. The gold structure is finely decorated with V-shaped triangular figures on the edges, and the bottoms of the gem settings are domed. This regional marquise ring is from the mid-19th century in France.
Horse head hallmark (1838-1919) and Mercury head hallmark. Illegible regional hallmark.
Large French regional clasp in 18-karat rose gold (750). This large Normandy clasp is made of hollow gold. It is richly decorated with colorful enamels. On one side, three partially enameled flowers blossom in the center of the clasp within a cartouche. The cartouche is surrounded by a frieze of dots and semicircles. On the other side, a flower basket composed of pansies, wheat, a rose, and a tulip is featured within a blue enameled cartouche. The presence of pansies is typical of the iconography of sentiment jewelry from the early 19th century, signifying “think of me.”
This Normandy regional clasp is a French sentiment jewel from the early 19th century.
Clasp Dimensions: 35 mm x 19 mm.
Condition: Scratches from use, missing enamels, slight indentations.
Solitaire engagement ring in 18-karat white gold (750) and platinum. This ring features a brilliant-cut diamond weighing 0.10 carats, secured by eight prongs. The setting is adorned with a decorative pattern of radiating points around the diamond. This Retro ring hails from around 1940 and was crafted in Lyon, France.
Eagle’s head and dog’s head, along with the maker’s mark of Alphonse Moussière, an active jeweler in Lyon since 1902.
Edwardian gold lioness tie pin. Edwardian gold lioness tie pin in 18-karat yellow gold (750) and platinum. It features the head of a lioness with an open mouth, holding an old mine cut diamond set in a closed setting. The lioness’s head is intricately detailed, showcasing its fur. The realistic naturalistic craftsmanship of this piece is quite exquisite, reminiscent of pins designed by Boivin around 1906. Edwardian period.
This is a French piece, effaced hallmark.
Dimensions: 70 mm x 9 mm.
Estimated diamond weight: 0.08 carat.
Note: The pin comes with a stopper to secure it.
Condition: Light signs of wear.
Georgian Maltese cross chalcedony pendant in 14k gold (585). This antique reliquary cross is made of four chalcedony elements forming a cross, held together by a central gold element with delicate engraving. This central element likely originally contained a woven lock of hair beneath glass, although it is no longer present. The pendant has an intricately decorated bail. This Georgian cross t is from around 1820.
Dimensions: 60 x 34 mm.
Note: Similar Georgian Maltese crosses can be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum in England.
Condition: Missing the central protective glass, some oxidation.
Art Deco cluster opal ring in platinum (950). This antique cluster ring features a central cabochon-cut opal set in a close setting, surrounded by twelve old-cut diamonds. The opal shows vibrant play-of-color with shades of violet, blue, and green, accented by hints of orange. The ring’s gallery is delicately detailed with scrollwork. This Art Deco period ring dates to circa 1930 and originates from France.
Hallmarks: Dog’s head (french hallmark for platinum) and maker’s mark.
Ring Size: 51 EU or 5.75 US (Resizable).
Top dimensions: 18 x 14 mm.
Opal weight: 1.03 carats.
Estimated total diamond weight: 0.48 carats.
Condition: surface abrasions, signs of wear.
Weight: 8.18 gr
Gemology and beliefs: Opals come in various types, with noble opals being the kind that exhibits play-of-color. This captivating effect is caused by tiny, uniformly sized spheres of silica. When light hits these spheres and is refracted, it produces a dazzling display of colors on the opal’s surface. In contrast, common opals lack this play-of-color, as their spheres are disordered and of varying sizes, giving them a milky appearance. Opals have been associated with the power of invisibility in folklore, earning them the title “Patronus forum” (patron of thieves) during the late Middle Ages.
Toi et Moi coral ring in 18-karat yellow gold (750). This ring is set with two pink-orange coral pearls with lighter nuances, each measuring approximately 7.6 and 7.8 mm in diameter. Vintage Toi et Moi ring, circa 1960, France.
Eagle’s head (French hallmark for 18 karat gold) and unreadable maker’s mark.
Ring Size: 54 EU and 6.75 US (Resizable)
Coral Pearls Diameter: 7.6 mm and 7.8 mm
Condition: Signs of wear
Weight: 4.14 gr
Gemology Note: Coral is an organic gemstone. Only the calcareous branched trunks of certain corals are used in jewelry. Its color comes from organic pigments close to carotene, ranging from blood-red to white, with shades of angel skin pink. Traditionally, coral necklaces were often given to young children to protect them from illness. Coral was believed to have protective qualities, especially in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Italy and Corsica.
Ruby diamond gold bottle vase with 18k yellow gold setting. This small covered pot is intricately carved from a ruby root and features a mount made of 18k yellow gold on the neck, lid, and base. The neck and base are adorned with a frieze set with 32 diamonds of varying cuts (a mix of old and brilliant cuts). This is a decorative object from the 20th century with foreign craftsmanship. It is stamped with the owl hallmark.
Dimensions: 11 x 4.5 cm
Estimated weight of the ruby: 1050 carats
Total estimated diamond weight: 0.32 carats
Note: This vase comes with a certificate issued by the Public Service for the Control of Diamonds, Fine Pearls, and Gemstones, dated September 21, 1998.
Hexagonal photo locket pendant in 18 karats gold. This antique locket pendant takes on the shape of a hexagon with a simple, undecorated gold border. The top section, beneath the bale, unscrews to open the pendant, revealing two beveled glasses inside. It can be used to insert a photo or a lock of hair. The pendant contains a miniature depicting a Saint or Saintess adorned with a crown of pink flowers and what appears to be a sword. The flower crown is an attribute of Saint Dorothée or Rosa de Lima, but there’s some uncertainty regarding this iconography. Above the saint’s halo, the word “félicité” (happiness) is discernible. This is an antique pendant from the mid-19th century.
Owl hallmark
Dimensions (including bale): 38 mm x 22 mm.
Condition: Signs of wear, invisible chip on the glass (under the mount). The miniature can be removed.
Large enameled poissardes earrings in 18 karat rose gold (750). These substantial poissarde earrings are centered with a blue, green, and white enameled pansy, surrounded by a midnight blue enamel frieze punctuated with gold dots. The main motif is framed by two stars on a painted gold background. Poissardes, circa […]