Natural Pearl, Diamond and Ruby Pendent Necklace

Open FREE Unlimited Store Join Our Newsletter

Origin of Name :-

The natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace was Lot No. 162 at the Christie's Contemporary Jewelry and Watches Sale, No. 7664, held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on April 29, 2008. The piece was one among 7 lots, out of 15 lots of natural pearl jewelry offered at this auctions, that registered selling prices much above the upper pre-sale estimates, indicating the strong auction market for natural pearls in the Middle East, the main source of natural pearls for the entire world since very ancient times, and until the early 20th-century, when the introduction of cultured pearls by the Japanese, dealt the final death blow to the ancient industry in the region.

Natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendant necklace

Please click here for an enlarged image (External Link)

Characteristics of the natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace

The necklace is a "choker" under the modern system of classification of pearl necklaces

The natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace has a length of 41 cm (16 inches), which according to the modern system of classification of pearl necklaces is a "choker" whose range of length can vary from 14 inches to 16 inches.

Features of the pear-shaped pearl drop, which is suspended as pendant to the necklace

The centerpiece of the necklace is its pendant, which is a pear-shaped pearl drop suspended by a bow surmount. The pear-shaped pearl drop has dimensions of 18.40 mm by 12.80 mm, the greatest length and width of the pearl. The weight of the pear-shaped pearl is 18.58 carats which is equivalent to 74.32 grains. The color of the pearl is silvery-white, in which white is the body color of the pearl and silver, the overtone color. The luster and orient of the pearl is exceptional, in keeping with its saltwater origin. The surface-quality of the pearl is also exceptional, smooth and without any blemishes.

How the pearl drop is suspended from the necklace ?

A bell-cap made of ruby is mounted on the narrow end of the pear-shaped pearl. The ruby cap carries a yellow-gold loop or ring at the top, by which the pearl is suspended from the hook of the diamond bow surmount above. The diamond bow surmount is bow-shaped and appears to be made up of silver or platinum. The lowest central portion of the bow is occupied by a circular mount, inside which is mounted an old-European cut diamond with a circular girdle. A hook from below this circular mount accommodates the ring on top of the ruby cap. 22 smaller old-cut diamonds are mounted on the bow surmount, 11 diamonds on either side of the circular mount. Provision has been made at either end of the bow surmount in the form of a loop or ring for the attachment of the necklace. This unique arrangement for suspending the pear-shaped pearl pendant has converted the bow surmount into the lower part of the necklace.

The composition of the necklace

The two arms of the necklace attached to either end of the bow surmount are made up of colored seed pearls interspersed with ruby beads. The disc-shaped ruby beads are placed on the necklace after every six colored seed pearls. The seed pearls are of assorted shapes and colors. Most of the seed pearls appear to be button-shaped, but a few are spherical, near-spherical and baroque in shape. The various colors that can be seen among the seed pearls are white, silvery-white, yellowish-white, cream, yellow, grayish-white and grey.

History of the natural pearl, diamond and ruby pearl necklace

The possible period of origin of the necklace, and the possible source of the pearls

The identity of the previous owner of this natural pearl, diamond and ruby necklace is not known. The historical provenance of the necklace is also not known. However certain features in the necklace indicate its possible period of origin. The use of old-European cut diamonds, and other old-cut diamonds possibly point to its 19th-century origin. The color and size of the pear-shaped pearl and the assorted colors of the seed pearls indicate that the origin of the pearls is the saltwater oyster species Pinctada radiata, the most prolific pearl producer around which the natural pearl industry of the world was based in ancient times. Pinctada radiata and Pinctada imbricata are well known sources of seed pearls. Accordingly, the probable source of the pearls in the necklace, is the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea or the Gulf of Mannar, the hub of the international pearl trade since ancient times. Venezuela is also a possible source, from where seed pearls and other medium sized pearls produced by the Atlantic pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata entered the world markets in the 16th and 17th centuries, but was later abandoned due to depletion of pearl oyster resources. Pinctada imbricata is now believed to be the same species as Pinctada radiata, with minor regional variations. Thus, if the pearls in the necklace originated after the 17th-century, the most probable source of the pearls is the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Mannar.

Laboratory report issued by the Gubelin Gem Laboratory

The natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace which was Lot No, 162, at the Christie's Contemporary Jewelry and Watches Sale, was accompanied by a lab report bearing No. 9808057, dated 13th August 1998, issued by the Gubelin Gem Lab, indicating that the white pear-shaped pearl, weighing 18.58 carats was a natural pearl.

Sale of the natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace

A pre-sale estimate of $45,000 to $50,000 was placed on the necklace, at the Christie's auction in Dubai, on April 29, 2008. However, after a keenly contested bid, the natural pearl, diamond and ruby pendent necklace was sold for $94,600, which was $44,600 higher than the upper pre-sale estimate. Seven out of 15 lots of pearl jewelry that was offered for sale at the auction, sold for prices much above the upper pre-sale estimate, because of the strong auction market for natural pearls in this region, which was previously the main supplier of natural pearls to the entire world.

Possible reasons for the strong auction market for natural pearls in the Persian Gulf countries

After the demise of the natural pearl industry in the Persian Gulf region, mainly due to the introduction of cultured pearls by the Japanese in the 1920s and 1930s, the main source of income for the Gulf countries was eliminated. This caused untold hardships and misery for the people of the region who depended on harvesting natural pearls for their livelihood. Not long afterwards, God almighty gave them a new source of wealth, petroleum, which more than compensated for their lost livelihood. Now, with the unprecedented development achieved in these countries using their petroleum resources, the people of the Gulf countries have attained a very high standard of living. But, the simple people of these countries have not forgotten their past, and still try to keep alive the age-old traditions of harvesting natural pearls, as in Kuwait which organizes an annual pearl oyster harvesting festival in the month of June. Perhaps, the strong auction demand for natural pearls in the Gulf region, may be for nostalgic reasons, trying to own something from the past, which invariably originated in this region. Another, explanation for the strong auction demand for natural pearls in this region, is the general dislike of cultured pearls by the people of the region, who believe that they are products of unfair human intervention, being forced to grow inside the oysters. Practicing a religion that strongly advocates peace with the natural environment gifted by God, the idea of wearing pearls that oysters were forced to grow, was revolting in the Arab mind-set, and considered unethical. However, such prejudices are being gradually overcome, and cultured pearls have now indeed entered the Arab markets.

You are welcome to discuss this post/related topics with Dr Shihaan and other experts from around the world in our FORUMS (forums.internetstones.com)

2) Four-Row Natural Pearl Necklace

3) Single-Row Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace

4) Superb Four-Row Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace

External Links :-

1) A Natural Pearl, Diamond and Ruby Pendent Necklace - Christie's Contemporary Jewelry and Watches Sale, N0. 7664. Auction Catalogue, Lot No.162. www,christies.com

References :-

1) A Natural Pearl, Diamond and Ruby Pendent Necklace - Christie's Contemporary Jewelry and Watches Sale, N0. 7664. Auction Catalogue, Lot No.162. www,christies.com