Antique Victorian Angelskin Branch Coral Necklace
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Jewels:
Pre 1900 item# 527737
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$95 (Reduced from $125)
Free Insured U.S. Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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Angel skin coral, varying from white to the softest shades of creamy pink, is so rare today that a kilo sells for $170,000. That makes this strand of pale branch coral as impressive as it is versatile. These shades will go with anything and flatter any complexion.
Necklaces such as this were popular christening gifts in Victorian times, when every baby wore coral. It was believed to foster good health. As little girls grew, more coral was added and their necklaces grew along with them. Ours measures about 16 inches long, so it was worn in adulthood, too. I imagine the final additions were the longest of these irregularly shaped "branches" ranging in size to 1 1/2".
Provenance of this treasusre is a Midwestern estate and probable dating would be late 19th century. Condition is lovely; even under a loupe, I can't tell whether a couple of branches have chips at the ends so, even if they do, nobody will notice. The barrel clasp, an early 20th century addition, is well-made and quite heavy for its size.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking.
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Fine Long Necklace of Antique Natural Red Branch Coral
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Jewels:
Pre 1900 item# 400544
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$195.
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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Layaway terms are available for this item and any priced over $150.
Spezzati or branch coral, so beloved by the Victorians and Edwardians, is making fashion news again. Did you notice how many top designers' models wore branch coral necklaces in the recent runway shows? This is a particularly lush example of the form, beautifully vivid and bristling with branches.
To achieve this dramatic length, we actually had two shorter 19th century estate strands combined - retaining this wonderful old barrel clasp in beehive shape, although there's no need to open it. You'd have to look a long time for a spezzati necklace as spectacular as this one! This is good old Mediterranean stuff, harvested off Italy in the 19th century and earlier. Most newer coral is dyed.
UPDATE: We recently added a bracelet that's a great match for the necklace. (To see it, just enter branch coral in the search box.) If interested in both pieces, let us know and we can work out special pricing.
There's no charge for insured U.S. delivery and beautiful gift-wrap is always available on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Superb Quality 48-inch Vintage Rose Quartz Necklace
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Jewels:
Pre 1950 item# 309013
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$175
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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With blush pink among fashion's favorite colors, rose quartz is showing up in all the best places. At Neiman Marcus, I noticed a necklace made of just about this many beads. Its pricetag was $550! This ultra-long, heavyweight beauty can be yours for a great deal less, and it's obviously hand-crafted, composed entirely of large and luscious pink gemstones in baroque shapes. They're wrapped in abstract Modernist waves of wirework (perhaps sterling, but more likely silver metal of a sturdier grade).
Because it measures a flapper-worthy four feet long, the necklace needs no clasp. For this season's trendy split-level look, wrap it first around your neck as a choker, then let the rest swing free. This is a *lot* of great necklace. Condition, as you see, is superb and probable dating would be circa 1940 (at the confluence of Art Deco and Modernism). Provenance is a European collection.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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