Vintage Eight-Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace with a Diamond Clasp, c. 2000

Eight strands of the finest saltwater cultured pearls come together in this elegant vintage necklace to form a softly cascading design. The small, carefully matched pearls—each about 2.7 mm in diameter—display a wonderful luster and a quality that is rarely found. Their surface is even and smooth, and their colour is perfectly matched. Each strand of the necklace falls in a delicate arc, creating an almost textile-like effect: the light dances across the individual strands as if over silk, lending the necklace new depth with every movement. Multi-strand pearl necklaces are among the great classics of jewelry history. However, unlike conventional cultured pearl necklaces, the delicate dimensions of these pearls create a remarkable lightness that feels modern and refreshing. The simple, bar-shaped clasp made of 14-karat white gold provides a calm, geometric contrast to the pearls’ delicate luster. A row of nine brilliant-cut diamonds adorns its surface, adding a sparkling accent of light. The clean lines of the clasp bring the eight strands of pearls together and complete the composition. The necklace has a wearing length of approximately 45 cm. We discovered it in Zurich; it was likely created around the turn of the millennium.

Estimate:$2,125.38

View all items fromHofer AntikschmuckorJewelry & Gems