Twin Comets : Edwardian Celestial Necklace with Old Cut Diamonds in Platinum and 18ct

♥Sold♥

1910 was a momentous year for stargazers. Halley’s comet was due to appear in the skies in April and everyone was excited, or perhaps apprehensive about its visit through Earth’s orbit. In January the sky unexpectedly lit up with another, even brighter comet we now refer to as the Daylight Comet. Like Halley’s comet the Daylight comet was visible to the naked eye, but even brighter than Halley’s. Visible to people the world over, the Daylight Comet with its noticeably curved tail hovered in the sky for most of January and into February. Of course the appearance of not one but two bright comets in the space of a few months had a huge impact on the people of the time – the Edwardians, like their Victorian predecessors, already had a predilection for all things celestial, but there was a renewed interest in heavenly bodies as the entire worlds population focused their attention on the stars.

This divinely different diamond necklet from the Edwardian Era or Belle Epoque, circa 1910, is modelled in Platinum and 18ct gold and set with old cut diamonds and a single natural pearl. The necklace was made in the shape of a comet or shooting stars, a very fashionable and topical subject for the time, and a highly collectable motif amongst antique jewellery collectors.

This piece is exquisitely handmade with articulated sections for fluid movement. A subtle sparkler that will win you endless compliments, not matter the occasion.

Manufacture: 
The necklet consists of an articulated pendant in three sections, made in 18ct yellow gold and topped with platinum. It is held by a fine platinum chain that closes with a handmade platinum clasp that has been embellished with fine engraving.

The necklace has a rubbed 18ct hallmark to the reverse of the pendant, and all metals have been verified by XRF test.

The pendant is formed in three sections, each one ingeniously hinged to the one below.
The topmost section is a four pointed star, with a central 2.5mm (approx. 6 point) old cut diamond in a platinum topped 18ct gold bezel. Each of the rays of the star is bead set with a small rose cut diamond.
The central section forms the tails of our twin shooting stars, with a small, lustrous, whole natural pearl in the middle. At the top and bottom of this tapered section is a 2mm old cut diamond in its own bezel, the hinge hides behind these two ingenious pieces. The section in between these two diamonds is again set with rose cut diamonds, three above the pearl and three below.
The bottom section is a repeat of the top four pointed star at a slightly larger scale. The central old cut diamond measures 3.2mm ( approximately 10 points).

The diamonds have been verified as natural by an independent gemologist. She has graded the diamonds as L-N in colour and Vs-Si in clarity. The total diamond weight is approximately 34 points or 1/3 carat.

The pendant has a drop of 43mm, it is 10.3mm at the widest point and 4.74mm deep.

The chain is 45cm (17 11/16″) long.

Weighs 5.09 grams.

Condition:
Outstanding. Minimal signs of wear, this piece has been treasured and worn infrequently over the last 110+ years. It is ready for immediate wear, as often as you wish.