Verdura Amethyst Aquamarine Gold Necklace
View Similar Items
Verdura Amethyst Aquamarine Gold Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1969
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 30-37061stDibs: LU135673052
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- Gold Tassel Necklace by Tiffany & Co.By Tiffany & Co.Located in New Orleans, LAChic 18K yellow gold tassels hang from a gold chain for a dynamic, contemporary look from the famed Tiffany & Co. This necklace exhibits a lace...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
- Pre-Columbian Sinu Gold and Bead NecklaceLocated in New Orleans, LAThis striking and rare Pre-Columbian gold necklace was crafted by the Sinu people of Colombia. The figural beads represent coatimundi, a much adored pet in many Pre-Columbian societi...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Colombian Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsGold
- Graduated Opal Necklace, 554.00 CaratsLocated in New Orleans, LATwenty-nine solid opal beads totaling an extraordinary 554.00 carats comprise this mesmerizing necklace. The graduated gems are an impressive size, measuring from 23.8mm to 13mm, wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsOpal, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Rose-Cut Diamond Necklace, 14.73 CaratsLocated in New Orleans, LAThis sensational necklace showcases a design illuminated by a marvelous array of rose-cut diamonds weighing a total of 14.73 carats. Six pear-shaped white diamonds dangle from a slee...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Favrile Glass Scarab Necklace by Louis Comfort TiffanyBy Louis Comfort TiffanyLocated in New Orleans, LACreated by legendary designer and premier tastemaker of the Gilded Age, Louis Comfort Tiffany, this necklace is a rare and unique masterpiece of jewelry design. Delicately crafted, the necklace boasts an Egyptian Revival design inspired by the archaeological excavations of Egypt beginning in the late 18th century. Scarab beetles finely executed in Tiffany’s signature favrile glass are bezel set in an 18K gold chain with rope-like links. The beetles flash iridescent hues of deep blue, green and purple, adding the perfect amount of shimmer to the enchanting design. Best remembered for his stained glass windows and lamps, along with his Favrile glass creations, Louis Comfort Tiffany did not begin crafting jewelry until 1902. Inspired by the fluidity and translucence of ancient Roman and Middle Eastern glass...Category
20th Century American Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Kashmir Sapphire Necklace, 10.25 CaratsBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New Orleans, LACrafted by the legendary Tiffany & Co., this enchanting necklace is a rare and unique masterpiece of early 20th-century American jewelry design. Delicately handcrafted, the one-of-a-kind creation is set with two stunning examples of Kashmir sapphires weighing 5.65 and 4.60 respectively. These gemstones are certified by the American Gemological Laboratories as Kashmir in origin and completely untreated, an extreme rarity for Kashmirs. Dozens of sparkling white diamond accents complement the brilliant blue stones in a romantic, winding 18K yellow gold setting. These incredible sapphires would have been sourced by George Frederick Kunz, Tiffany & Co.'s expert gemologist, who selected only the finest gemstones for the firm's unique creations. The sapphires in this necklace are truly superior examples. Kashmir sapphires were first unearthed in the early 1880s after a landslide in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. They are celebrated not only for their rarity, but also for the softness of their distinctive blue hue. Boasting incredible color and brilliance, untreated Kashmir sapphires of this quality are scarce, especially within an antique Tiffany setting. Since the firm's inception in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has been at the forefront of luxurious design and craftsmanship, especially in the realm of fine jewelry. Founder Charles Lewis Tiffany...Category
Antique 19th Century American Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
- Marina J. Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Pink Aquamarine & Pearl Necklace with 14k GoldBy Marina J.Located in Los Angeles, CABeatufiul stone necklace by Marina J. This piece is made using multi shaped faceted Amethysts, Rose Quartz, Pink Aquamarine and Freshwater Black Pears ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Link Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Aquamarine, Pearl, Black Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold
- Alex Jona Aquamarine Amethyst Rose Quartz Rondelle NecklaceBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Aquamarine, Amethyst and Rose Quartz rondelle necklace with satin silver clasp. Necklace dimensions: 0.56 in W / 22.8 in L 14.5 m...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsAquamarine, Quartz, Amethyst, Silver
- Gold Amethyst NecklaceLocated in New York, NY14k yellow gold necklace with amethyst gemstones. Necklace is 14.25" long, pendant 75mm x 35mm. Marked with illegible gold stamp, tested 14k. Weight - 33.2 grams.Category
20th Century More Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Gold
- Marina J Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Grey Pearl & Aquamarine Infinity NecklaceBy Marina J.Located in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous stone necklace by Marina J. This lovely piece is made using multi shaped faceted Amethysts, Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, Amazenite and Freshwater irregular shaped Grey Pearls wh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Aquamarine, Pearl, Quartz, Silver
- 14k Gold Aquamarine NecklaceLocated in New York, NY14k gold vintage necklace with aquamarines. Necklace is 15.75" long and 15mm wide. Weight 30 grams.Category
20th Century More Necklaces
MaterialsAquamarine, 14k Gold
- Aquamarine, Kyanite & 18K Gold NecklaceBy Amanda Clark for AltfieldLocated in Central, HKA hand-made necklace of wonderful dark blue kyanite beads, round aquamarine beads, spaced by 18k gold beads and closes with an 18k gold toggle clasp. Ex...Category
2010s Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsAquamarine, Kyanite, Gold, 18k Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Wear Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Genius on Your Finger with This Vivid Ring
In his jewelry making, the designer rarely used diamonds — this rare example has two.
You Won’t Find a More Handsome Stopwatch Than This 1890s Pocket Chronograph
A Grand Complication from the golden era of pocket watches, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch does everything but uncork your wine.