Long "Opera" Akoya Pearl Necklace with a White Gold Clasp, c. 1970

It caused a huge sensation when Japanese entrepreneur Mikimoto succeeded in cultivating saltwater pearls on a large scale in the early 1920s. Until then, pearl necklaces had to be made from naturally formed pearls, which were about as expensive as diamonds of the same size. It was only with the invention of the cultured pearl that pearl jewelry became affordable to a wider audience, sparking a major fashion trend that has endured to this day. This pearl necklace consists of 117 large cultured pearls. The pearls have a creamy white colour and show only a few growth marks that identify them as a natural product. The necklace, approximately 97 cm long, is what is known as an “opera necklace”—long enough to be worn double around the neck or tied in a knot. The necklace is fastened with a discreet clasp made of 14-karat white gold. Created around 1970, this necklace is a timeless classic that no jewelry box should be without!

Estimate:$1,093.34

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