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French Drop Necklaces

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Place of Origin: French
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Colombian Cabochon Emerald Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Colombian Cabochon Emerald Necklace This extraordinary Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is crafted in platinum and 1...
Category

20th Century Retro French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent Butterfly Bib Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Large and Important Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent butterfly bib necklace circa 1970. Of amythest and deep aquamarine Gripoix poured gla...
Category

1970s Romantic Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal

Vintage Francoise Montague Paris Statement Jewelled Droplet Collar 1950s
By Francoise Montague
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Francoise Montague Droplet Collar. A striking and wonderfully glamorous collar featuring an elaborate pierced metalwork collar adorned with beading and eleven large droplet...
Category

1950s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Philippe Ferrandis Black Metal, Glass Cabochon, and Crystal Pendant Necklace
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Edgy mixed material black metal modern necklace with drop pendant from Philippe Ferrandis.
Category

2010s Modern French Drop Necklaces

Christian Lacroix Gilt Metal Lace Pendant Chain Necklace
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Christian Lacroix Paris pendant necklace features a stylized knitting lace design with gilded metal, all textured and topped with the "CL" logo. The long gilt metal cha...
Category

1990s Modern French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Louis Vuitton Blossom Sautoir Diamond Mother of Pearl 18k Pink Gold Necklace
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Elegance meets luxury with the Louis Vuitton Blossom Sautoir Diamond Necklace, a masterpiece crafted in 18k pink gold and boasting a stunning white diamond at its heart. The intricat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

Boucheron Diamond Platinum Necklace And Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
A truly magnificent 1950's Boucheron diamond necklace. Designed as a stylised, flexible ribbon set with graduated and tapered baguette & ste...
Category

1960s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Introducing the Cartier necklace approx 0.60 carats of diamonds most about G-H and VS range The necklace was originally shorter but was extended by its previous owner. It now measure...
Category

1990s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold

A Belle Epoque diamond and pearl necklace
Located in London, GB
A Belle Epoque diamond and pearl necklace, the six navette-shaped openwork links with foliate design decorations and embellished with small rose-cut diamonds, connected with diamond-...
Category

Early 20th Century Belle Époque French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Cartier Diamond, Onyx, Emerald Panther Tassel Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
CARTIER Diamond, Onyx, Emerald Panther Tassel Necklace A 18k white gold panther tassel necklace, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, emerald and ony...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

French Empire Malachite Cameo Gold Necklace
By Baume
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace in 18K matt yellow gold necklace, eagle head hallmark. Consisting of golden vine leaves and bunches of grapes hinged together, the centrepiece of this unusual necklace is a malachite cameo...
Category

2010s Empire French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Malachite, 18k Gold

Platinum, White Gold, and Diamond Bow Collar Necklace
Located in Princeton, NJ
A charming and whimsical platinum, white gold, and diamond necklace in the form of a latticework bow, composed of numerous segments linked together. The necklace features fine milgra...
Category

Late 20th Century Revival French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Christian Lacroix Paris Massive Huge Scale Avant Garde Couture Necklace c 1980s
By Christian Lacroix
Located in University City, MO
Christian Lacroix Paris Massive huge scale avant-garde couture statement necklace c 1980s The extraordinary avant-garde huge scale artisan necklace is designed with a massive rigid silver metal free form chest plate...
Category

Late 20th Century Artisan French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Base Metal

Couture RobertGoosens 1969-1971 MadameGres RockCrystal Stone HammeredWire Choker
By Robert Goossens
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Goosens, the French haute-couture Chanel-favorite parurier who enjoyed reinterpreting ancient and antique styles of jewelry with rock crystal and faux stones, also collaborated with Madame Alix Gres. Relevant to this statement necklace, the Parisian theatrical-costume designer, who founded the French fashion-house Maison Gres, commissioned Goosens to make spiral-wire adornments for her couture gowns. This handmade hammered brass wire choker necklace with five dropped en-tremblant pendants is decorated with unique colorful beads and wrapped wire. The piece dates between 1969-1971 based on similar unsigned spiraled-wire metal jewelry without goldsmithing marks in the museum collection of TheMet (see our photo), which acquired it from Maison Givenchy founder Hubert de Givenchy, who was one of most supportive fans of Gres. Like the legendary sculptural clothing designs of Madame Gres, this necklace was inspired by Greco-Roman costumes, while its sculpted shapes by Goosens reference her signature curvilinear fabric techniques that earned her the sobriquet of "the master of the wrapped and draped dress". Goosens (1927-2016), nicknamed Monsieur Bijou, also made jewelry inspired by other periods of antiquity to compliment the couture clothing of Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. After Goosens collaborated with Gres, he revisited golden spiral designs with Saint Laurent. Similar to the free-flowing fabric manipulated in Gres gowns, this hand-shaped necklace that we photographed in sunlight is a study in motion that drapes across a curvy cleavage. Adding drama to this necklace below its wire choker, the top teetering-wire pendant is a twisted and hammered horizontal double spiral, which is a Hellenistic symbol of life and transformation suggesting the breasts of a goddess of fertility and motherhood. Yet distinctly Goosens, 18 hand-cut and hand-dyed "ancient-Roman-blue" rock-crystal beads are wire-strung to weight a second tier of two separate vertical double-spiral pendants. On each, a wrapped-wire tube divides the blue beads. Between these vertical pendants in two tiers, the central vertical pendants each feature a one-of-a-kind multicolor bead (yellow/blue/red/black/white) in two lengths with abstract organic patterns recalling ancient Italian glasswork. Four more blue beads bracket these larger colorful beads. An additional 10 blue beads and 5 wire tubes decorate the bottom looped wire pendant, as well as the bottom of the wire choker. Like the hammered-wire jewelry designs of modern artist Alexander Calder, the creative complex construction of this necklace surprisingly required no metalsmith techniques, such as soldering or casting, just great skill with a jewelry pliers and hammer. For a bigger picture of couture clothing by Madame Gres during the decade beginning in 1969, she notably designed many museum-collected one-color silk-taffeta draped long gowns with empire waists and simple high collars or geometric cut-outs. Remarkably, the focal points for some of these unique dresses were at the wrists, from where long pouf sleeves voluminously droop around the hands to nearly the floor like two enormous long-petaled flowers. If paired with this equally downward-focused and balanced necklace from this same period, its bold Greco-Roman elements would have pulled a viewer's gaze of the dress from floor to face. Although there is no significant provenance for this necklace, hammered brass and tinted rock crystal were among the few materials repeatedly associated with Goosens from 1969-71. For example, in his overlapping interior-decor collections based on themes of waterlilies or foliage, Goosens hammered gilt brass wire and sheets (see our closeup photo) to represent plant parts or he wired rock-crystal beads to appear as tiny fruits. While the two multicolor glass or resin beads in this necklace are atypical, the combination of blue, yellow and red is a palette that the designer used for other pieces of rock-crystal jewelry and he created many kinds of multicolor faux stones with glass or resin paste, such as faux Tibetan turquoise including black and white. According to journalism based on interviews with Goosens, he often acquired unusual stones and glass for inspiration during his extensive travels exploring museum-collected antiquities. Since Maison Goosens was acquired in 2005 by Maison Chanel, it opened the Parisian showroom Galerie Goosens and associated shops to sell many kinds of reproductions and reimagined works by the founder, which fortunately does not suit the completely handmade elements of this necklace. So this couture piece remains one-of-a-kind. If desiring a vintage haute-couture original by Robert Goosens, we recommend perusing the Maison Goosens website so that a reproduction with a contemporary signature is not mistakenly purchased. Madame Gres (1903-1993) was born Germaine Emelie Krebs, but initially identified her fashion designs with the pseudonym Alix and later Alix Barton...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greek Revival French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Crystal, Brass

Antique Scarab Beetle Bug Insect Leaf Pendant 18 Karat Gold French Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely wonderful and rare antique French Victorian Scarab, Beetle, Insect on a Leaf Pendant Necklace in 18 Karat Gold. The stunning th...
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rare 18th Century Love Token Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Charming and rare 18th Century Love Token Pendant, hand painted watercolor of angel carrying a red heart, set under glass in a verre eglomise frame...
Category

Late 18th Century Georgian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Vintage French Diamond and Platinum Riviére Necklace, 37.84 Carats, Circa 1950
Located in London, GB
A vintage French diamond and platinum riviére necklace, with graduating drops, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, in four claw settings, with diamonds above, onto an articulating...
Category

1950s Retro Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French Green Aurora Stone Necklace
Located in New York, NY
French Green Aurora Stone Necklace from the 1980's. Unusual green aurora emerald cut stones are used simply for a cool abstract splash of color. Pendant 3" x 3". Chain 22". France 19...
Category

1980s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Cartier Diamond Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Timeless Cartier Diamond Necklace! 18k gold cable chain with brilliant shape center diamond with Cartier provenance documentation. Weight: ...
Category

1980s Artist Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Triple-Pearl Lavalier
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
A striking trio of oceanic tones defines this exquisite lavalier by Cartier. Suspended from a white gold chain, the elegant pendant is formed by three lustrous pearls: a rich golden ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Gold

Pate de Verre and Pearl Sautoir
By Francoise Montague
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Francoise Montague hand poured pate de verre glass necklace in dreamy shades of yellow . Can be worn long or doubled- as shown in images.By former artisans of the atelier of Gripoix(...
Category

2010s Artist French Drop Necklaces

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Huge Purple Pansy Crystal Hoop Tassel Long Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Huge Extra Large Purple Pansy Cluster Flower Enamel Crystals Double Hoop Tassel Rope Long Necklace Belt, Gold Plated Versatile necklace, can also...
Category

1990s Art Deco French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Lacroix Silvered Metal Necklace with Lavender Resin Heart Pendant
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Christian Lacroix Paris pendant necklace features a silver plate long chain complemented with a dimensional resin heart adorned with crystal rhinestones. Fabulous laven...
Category

1990s Modern French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Frances Necklace Beige and bronze stone with antique bronze Cesarée
By Cesare Paciotti
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Amazing necklace by the French house Césarée, made in the 1990s. The piece is composed of multiple chains of beige jasper natural stone beads cascading from a rigid antique bronze ring. At the lower ends of these chains, there is a polygonal metal bead with ethnic decorations. The focal point is a large central stone medallion, adorned with a triangular bronze decoration of small circles with embossed patterns. The combination of the stone's hue with the warmth of the patinated metal creates a visually rich contrast, making it an ideal accessory for any outfit. The House of Césarée, Originality and Ethnic Taste Césarée was founded in 1980 in Paris by jewelry designer Laurence Coupelon. Her constantly evolving creations range from pure ethnic inspiration to distinctive haute couture jewelry, combining natural materials with bronzed or silver-plated metals. Her originality and distinctive style have made her jewelry house not only a household name but also a highly recognizable style, establishing it as a benchmark for ethnic jewelry in the European fashion world. Since its inception, her unique style has captivated fashion editors around the world: Vogue, L'Officiel, Le Figaro Madame, Air France Madame, Elle, Marie-Claire, Be, Grazia, Gala, Citizen K., Cosmopolitan, etc. Her jewelry has also been featured in films and television programs. Her style and jewelry have often been the result of close collaboration with leading fashion designers: Nino Cerruti, Michel Klein, Agnès B, Cacharel, Kenzo, and Sonia Rykiel. Her creations are also chosen by numerous French and international artists, including Emmanuelle Béart, Claudia Schiffer, Françoise Xénakis, Agnès Varda, Marianne James, Marisa Bérenson, Jodie Foster, Danièle Thompson, Mouna Ayoub...
Category

1990s Artisan French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Jasper, Bronze

Cartier Pearl and Diamond Necklace in 18K White Gold with Box and Certificate
By Cartier
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: This stunning Cartier necklace has three pearls and diamonds in a station design. This necklace contains its original box and certificate. Circa: 1990s Metal Type: 18 ...
Category

1990s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Gold

1940s French Set of Diamond and Burma No Heat Ruby Necklace and Earrings
Located in New York, NY
1940's French Diamond and Ruby Necklace and Earrings Set The necklace has approximately 75ct of rubies and 40-42ct of diamonds all set in Platinum, and the clasps are white gold. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Dramatic French Winged Bronze Artisanal Collar
Located in New York, NY
Large and Dramatic French Winged Bronze Artisanal Collar in the Brutalist style from the 1980's. Signed by the maker (Bonillez?) and purchased in a gallery in Paris in the 1980's. Ha...
Category

1980s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Vermeil, Bronze

French Ella K Diamante, Blister Pearl, and Fools Gold Shell Pendant Necklace
By Ella K
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Artisan, handcrafted in Paris - diamante, blister pearl, and fools gold shell pendant drop necklace by Ella K. The shell pendant measures 7" inches ...
Category

2010s Artisan French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Pearl

Cartier “Les Oiseaux Liberes” Diamond Emerald Beads Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
CARTIER “Les Oiseaux Liberes” Pendant Necklace Designed as a parrot set with brilliant-cut diamonds, highlighted with emerald eyes and moth...
Category

1980s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Pate de Verre Tassel Coin Necklace, Goossens
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Pate de Verre Tassel Coin Necklace from the 1970's. Maison Goossens manufacture with amazing pate de verre jet beads, gilt fox chain, hammere...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

Eygptian Revival Scarab Pendant
Located in New York, NY
French Eygptian Revival Scarab Pendant in patinaed and painted celluloid on silk cord with tassel. Pendant 2.4", Cord 30", Tassel 4". 1930's France. ...
Category

1930s Egyptian Revival Vintage French Drop Necklaces

French Paste Necklace With Pendant and Bow Motif
Located in New York, NY
This early French Paste necklace has a lovely design with bows either side of an intricately set collier a center pendant
Category

19th Century Belle Époque Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Other, Sterling Silver

Cartier Agrafe Diamonds 1.48cts 18K Pink Gold Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Tokyo, JP
■Item No: 22001210 ■Brand: Cartier ■Name: Agrafe Necklace ■Ref.: N7424320 ■Material: 73P diamonds (1.48cts), 750 K18 PG pink gold ■Weight: 18.5g (Approx) ■Neck around: 40cm / 15.74in...
Category

2010s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

French Late 18th Century Gold, Foiled Citrine, and Enamel Festoon Necklace
Located in New York, NY
An antique Georgian period gold and foiled citrine festoon necklace comprised of seven winged ornaments with white and green dotted enamel and two star pendants, culminating in a sty...
Category

1790s Georgian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Emerald, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Art Deco Devil Cicada Insect Necklace France Bakelite Galalith Venetian Glass
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning and very rare antique Art Nouveau - Art Deco French Devil and Cicada Insect Bug Pendant Necklace in Bakelite or the French form Galalith with Venetian Glass beads....
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Brass

Christian Dior Faux Jade Pendant
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
1970's Christian Dior Pendant in gilded metal and faux jade bakelite. Large domed pendant hangs from chunky gilt chaining signed by Grosse who manufactured f...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Van Cleef & Arpels "Miroir Des Eaux" Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 'Miroir Des Eaux' Multi- gem and Diamond Necklace. This necklace has rectangular-shaped MOP and black onyx on white gold with pear s...
Category

Late 20th Century Artist French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Chinese Collection Demi Parure, Maison Gripoix
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Chinese Collection Demi Parure by Maison Gripoix of hand made settings with poured glass of Chinese florals in kingfisher blue, chalcedony an...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Bronze

Charles Boutet de Monvel Art Nouveau Peacock Pendant
Located in London, GB
A beautiful documented Art Nouveau Peacock pendant by Charles Boutet de Monvel. The mirrored image of the bird creating a heat shaped pendant. Gilded ...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Silver

Philippe Ferrandis Cross Necklace brutalist Gold Gripoix 1980s
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Wallkill, NY
Early piece of Philippe Ferrandis Brutalist in design. Simply stunning! This makes a statement. Large Cross. Long Beaded Chain made up of natural stones and poured glass. The Cross s...
Category

1980s Artist Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal, Gold

Antique French Agate Cameo Pendant
Located in Firenze, IT
PENDANT CAMEO, the setting in 750 / °° yellow gold braided and chiseled decorated with foliage and black enamel punctuated with cultured pearls surrounding a woman in profile on agat...
Category

1870s Napoleon III Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Henry Talosel Necklace
By HENRY
Located in New York, NY
HENRY Necklace of hand carved and patinaed resin set with ruby pastes.The pendant hangs from ruby pate de verre and faceted aurora beads. Unusual ru...
Category

1950s Artisan Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Massive Chanel Renaissance Cross Brooch/Pendant
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Massive Chanel Renaissance Cross Brooch/Pendant by Maison Gripoix, Paris. Emerald and Ruby pate de verre is hand poured into Renaissance style settings in gilt bronze. A matching ...
Category

1980s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Yves Saint Laurent Bib, 1989 Lou Lou de la Falaise
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Bib by Lou Lou de la Falaise of silvered mirrored medallions, faux pearls, and patinaed ribbed wood beads. Prominently used in...
Category

1980s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Silver Plate

Givenchy Haute Couture Gripoix Glass Pearl Necklace, Bunny Mellon
By Givenchy
Located in New York, NY
Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture opera length necklace from the estate of Bunny Mellon. Composed of signature Maison Gripoix handmade large faux pearls with a very large focal cente...
Category

1960s Artisan Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Brass

Victorian 16.00 Ct Diamond Rare French Necklace
Located in Napoli, IT
French origin magnificent Victorian Diamond necklace, 1840 ca Sensual fringe design beautifully hand crafted during the period set with high quality old mine cut Diamonds, effective...
Category

1840s Victorian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Gerard Important Emerald and Diamond Set
By Gerard
Located in New York, NY
An Important set by M. Gérard comprised of earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring in 18kt yellow gold with fine quality diamonds and emeralds. Made in Paris (France) circa 1975.
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Maison Gripoix for Chanel Ruby and Pearl Byzantine Necklace
By Maison Gripoix for Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Karl Lagerfeld and Maison Gripoix for Chanel hand knotted faux baroque pearl, gilt bronze filigree square byzantine pendant with Gripoix glass poured enamel ruby cabocheon. Gilt chai...
Category

1980s Byzantine Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal

Cartier Paris 1900 Edwardian Guilloche Enamel Pin 18Kt Gold Platinum And Diamond
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Belle Epoque pin designed by Cartier. Colorful and very rare stick pin made during the Edwardian-Belle Epoque period. This beautiful piece was created in Paris France by the jewelry house of Cartier, back in the 1900. Carefully crafted in two parts made up of solid platinum, yellow and white gold of 18 karats. Embellished with a central panel decorated with engine turned guilloche topped with purple glossy enamel. Accented with thirty-five natural earth mined rose cut diamonds and the settings are finished with millegrain. Diamonds: Mounted in millegrain settings, with 35 old rose cut diamonds, 0.30 carats, G/H color, SI-1 clarity. Weight: 2.35 Grams, (1.51 Dwt). Measurements: 70 mm by 12 mm (2.76 x 0.47 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with French marks, the maker's maitre mark CA inside a lozange cartouche, the head of the eagle for the assay and warranty of the gold, the four digits serial numbers and signed, "CARTIER PARIS 3840". Cartier The move to the rue de la Paix coincided with a period of extraordinary economic growth and affluence in France and the world. Cartier was also growing and expanding and had started to shift their emphasis from retailing to design and manufacture. Although they produced a small number of pieces in the Art Nouveau style, Cartier paid scant attention to the movement. They made their distinguishing mark in pioneering the use of platinum in creating the delicate and graceful Garland style that came to be associated with the Belle Époque. The discovery of the great diamond deposits in South Africa in the late 1860’s engendered the popularity of extravagant diamond jewelry. The technical advances in the manufacturing of platinum enabled designs of great intricacy, strength and flexibility such as found in the spectacular résille designs of Cartier. (See Edwardian Jewelry: 1901-1915). Cartier marked the beginning of the twentieth century by opening branches in London and New York, where their wealthiest and most dedicated clientele resided. The 1902 coronation of Edward VII occasioned a large number of commissions from England’s leading families. Records indicate that Cartier produced twenty-seven tiaras alone for the coronation and the event was instrumental in convincing the firm to seek a permanent presence in London. Indeed, by 1904 they had achieved their first of fifteen royal warrants being appointed official purveyor to the court of King Edward VII. The London branch came to thrive under the tutelage of Alfred’s youngest son, Jacques Cartier, establishing London based design and manufacturing workshops. Opening a Cartier store in New York was a natural progression as many of America’s wealthiest families and business magnates had been traveling to Paris for some time to purchase their jewels from Cartier. By 1906 Alfred had largely retired and Louis and his brother Pierre operated the Cartier business jointly. One of their first major decisions was to establish a New York presence and workshop in 1909 under the skilled direction of Pierre. Indicative of his business skills, Pierre famously secured Cartier’s present location, an elegant Beaux-Arts mansion at 653 Fifth Avenue, from industrialist Morton F. Plant in 1917. The building changed hands in exchange for $100 and a double strand of natural pearls, admired by Plant’s wife and valued at one million dollars, the asking price for the mansion. While the Fifth Avenue location remains priceless to the firm, when the pearls came up for auction in 1957, they fetched a mere $170,000. (From Lang's with thanks). Edwardian Jewelry This Period was during the King Edward VII, after whom this period of jewelry history is named, reigned over England for only nine years, yet the style of jewelry known as “Edwardian” was created roughly between 1890 and 1920. Edwardian-era rings tend to be larger, opulent pieces, and stacked ring designs were popular. The metal surfaces of the rings were often diamond-encrusted for additional shimmer. Each of these rings is a work of art, showcasing a bygone era of grace, elegance and the royalty the Edwardian era is named for. Guilloché This term is used in fine jewelry or objects de Vertu to enhance the appearance of boxes, frames, brooches, rings or pendants. Guilloché enamel refers to metal pieces that have been given the Guilloché treatment and then covered with a translucent layer of enamel, giving the geometric patterns underneath the enamel a colorful hue. Millegrain This is a jewelry technique which refers to the textural effect of a close-set line of metal beads that are typically used as a border on the edges or bezels of jewelry. Literature: Sotheby's fine jewels, London September 17 1021, Lot 146 for an identical piece illustrated with the original box Collateral: It is accompanied by the original Cartier presentation green jewelry box...
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinu...

Chanel Rock Crystal Runway "Ice" Necklace F/W 2010, Maison Goossens
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Rock Crystal Runway "Ice" Necklace from F/W 2010 by Maison Goossens. This is a one of a kind runway model, never commercialized in stores. A massive rock crystal quartz specimen is mounted on silvered bronze as the centerpiece and hangs from a jangle of silvered chains with cascading pave "CC" logo charms. Collector quality. Size: Pendant 5.5" x 4.5" x 1.25". Total length 19" with 7" extender chain. Chanel F/W 2010 "Iceberg" Show description: "Freja Beha Erichsen and three bears on an ice floe. This was the arctic scene at Chanel, where giant chunks of bona fide iceberg, specially transported from Scandinavia, formed the frozen landscape around which models solemnly splashed through a sea of 'berg-melt in shaggy snow boots with ice-block heels." Fur-fringed embroideries and ice jewelry...
Category

2010s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gilt Metal

20th Century Natural Coral Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace made up of a fall of pearls of coral slightly flattened, the clasp is with ratchet in 18 karat yellow gold. Necklace coral threaded on new silk thread with knots. Length : 5...
Category

Early 20th Century Belle Époque French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
With its contemporary sensibility and soft flexibility, this Van Cleef & Arpels pendant necklace is unmistakably French modern. The dynamic geometric motifs are creatively extended a...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Art Deco Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Egyptian Revival long pendant necklace inspired by the discovery of Tut's Tomb in 1922. The pendant shows the sacred vulture goddess Nekhbet. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco French Drop Necklaces

Antique Georgian French Paste Silver Cross Pendant
Located in Stamford, CT
This is the finest example of a French Provincial Wedding Cross I have seen. At its finest, antique paste jewelry was made treating pastes like...
Category

Early 19th Century Georgian Antique French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Modern Second-Hand Small Jade Disc 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This yellow gold chain features a filed cable link design and holds a white-tinged green jadeite disc in place with a removable sl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Outstanding Guy Laroche Crystal Jet Runway Necklace Paris France
By Guy Laroche
Located in Montreal, QC
Sensational signed Guy Laroche Necklace featuring prong-set, sparkling Marquise clear crystals and round facet cut Jet stones in a unique Demi-Lune design; Silver finish; approx. 27...
Category

1960s Modernist Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Lanvin Striped Resin Pendant
By Lanvin Paris
Located in New York, NY
Large pendant by Lanvin circa 1970s in stripes of orange, white, black and clear resin.
Gilt metal mount.
Signed Lanvin
Pendant 4 x 1.5"
Chain 29&qu...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Modern Second-Hand Peridot 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This second-hand gold pendant features a large oval motif holding a cabochon-cut peridot in its center. This peridot pendant com...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lanvin Modernist Bakelite Pendant
By Lanvin Paris
Located in New York, NY
Sleek pendant from Lanvin, Paris. Buttercream bakelite mixed with a gilt snake chain. Very Collectible and striking.
Excellent Condition,
Signed Lanvin, Paris.
...
Category

1970s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Christian Dior Chunky Stone Necklace Vintage
By Christian Dior
Located in Wallkill, NY
Silver-Tone Dior Necklace Faux tigers eye, malachite, Lapis and more are prong-set in a silver-tone twisted circle. Hallmarked on the back and on the clasp Drop Measures 2.75 in. The...
Category

1960s Vintage French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite

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