Marsh & Co.
Art Deco Natural Pearl & Diamond Necklace
An Art Deco natural pearl and diamond sautoir necklace by Marsh & Co, circa 1925. The necklace is strung with four rows of small natural pearls, the rows interspersed with platinum and diamond dividers. To the centre is an antique oval cut diamond estimated at 1.10ct and set within frame of platinum open work and a diamond set border, a tassel suspended underneath with multiple rows of natural pearls hanging from the finely pierced platinum and diamond top. The necklace is secured to reverse with an ornate tongue and box clasp of diamond and platinum set with an old mine cushion cut diamond in the centre.
£38,500.00
Information
Maker
Marsh & Co.
Origin
America
Period
1900-1940
Period
Art Deco, circa 1925
Gemstone
Central antique oval cut diamond, estimated 1.10ct
70 x small old mine cut diamonds, estimated total 2ct
693 x natural saltwater pearls ranging from 2.4mm to 2.8mm - with certificate
Setting
Platinum, signed Marsh
Dimensions
Necklace length: 43cm/17"
Drop length: 8.4cm/3.3" (From top of diamond section to bottom of the tassel)
Weight Description
33 grams
REF
129573
Discover this Jewel
Natural Pearls
Natural pearls are one of the earliest gems used for self-adornment and were once more highly valued and sought after than diamonds. They come from both rivers and seas and being organic are fairly soft, so need to be taken great care of to maintain their beauty.
Pearls can be found in saltwater or freshwater and are produced entirely by a natural process. They are formed in molluscs (oysters or mussels) as a defence against an irritant such as a parasite. The mollusc reacts by encasing the irritant in layers of nacre, which is a hard calciferous material like their own shells. Natural pearls are becoming increasingly rare and highly sought after with top quality examples costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. They were traditionally found in some of the most beautiful areas of the world, the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Manaar (between Sri Lanka and India), and the South Pacific for South Sea pearls.
