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About Peter Lumetta
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Diamonds and colored stones are my expertise. Some experience in jewelry manufacturing for QVC and HSN. Cutting, marketing and selling of all precious and semi-precious gemstones.

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HOME SHOPPING CLUB, QVC, SHARPER IMAGE, J.C. PENNY, J.FRANK GOLDEN, OSCAR HEYMEN BROS. AND MANY MORE

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Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals - diamond necklace

Expert: Peter Lumetta - 11/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: My partner and I came across a diamond necklace in his deceased mother's jewelry case. We had it appraised. Here's what the appraiser had to say:

Date of appraisal: October 24, 2009
>
> Laides 9, gold, diamonds and enamel necklace
> Metal content:               36.2 grams total weight
> Setting technique:          prong set and bead set
> Condition:                     good
> Manufacturing technique:           fabricated
> Manufacturer:               unknown
>
> The necklace is a fabricated Georgian style necklace with 23 separate
> parts, each separated from the next by a single knuckle hinge Each
> link is a geometric style motif with approximately 214 diamond bead
> and prong set through the piece (Rose cut natural diamonds, 2.1-7mm,
> I1-I2, I-J, approx 5.0 cts total weight). On each piece is a blue
> enamel bar. The entire piece is 18 inches total length with a
> fabricated chain. Unmarked tested 9k. See photo for design details.
>
> Estimated manufacture 1800 based on style and techniques of
> manufacture and materials used. Estimated to be made in England.

However, we now suspect that the necklace could be Turkish and not the antique we first thought. What ideas do you have that could help us identify the necklace? I've attached a picture.

Thanks in advance for your help.
IMAGE: necklace

ANSWER: HI CYNTHIA,

THE APPRAISAL YOU HAVE SEEMS QUITE ADEQUATE. WHAT SPECIFICALLY MAKES YOU THINK IT IS NOT THE ANTIQUE YOU FIRST THOUGHT. IT HAS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PIECE MADE OVER 100 YRS AGO. FROM THE REPORT YOU SUPPLIED IT COULD BE EITHER A WELL DONE COPY OR AN ORIGINAL PIECE. ALTHOUGH YHERE IS NO HALLMARK OR QUALITY STAMP THE FACT THAT IT TESTED FOR'9K' GOLD IS AN INDICATION THAT IT IS ENGLISH AND NOT TURKISH. THE FABRICATION LENDS TO THE FACT THAT IT IS AN ANTIQUE ALSO. YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA WHERE THIS CAME FROM, AND WHEN. THERE IS A LOT MORE TO KNOW HERE AND YOU MUST SUPPLY THE MISSING LINKS. IT IS NOT A SPECTACULAR PIECE OF VERY HIGH VALUE AND IS AN UNLIKELY CANIDATE FOR BEING COPIED. THESE ARE MY OBSERVATIONS FROM THE LITTLE INFORMATION SUPPLIED AND NOT ACTUALLY SEEING THE PIECE. THANKS

PETER

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Peter, for your quick response.

This piece belonged to my partner's deceased mother. Both of my partner's parents were avid antique collectors, although my partner does not recall his mother wearing the necklace because the rest of her jewelry (several hundred pieces) were high quality diamond pieces (several in the $50K+ range). Our working theory is that my partner's father picked up the piece while hunting for Asian artifacts. We suspect some antique dealer through it in the mix for perhaps pennies on the dollar.

Most other antique dealers have identified it as Georgian, but a couple have identified it as possibly Turkish. I've looked at hundreds of pictures of Georgian diamond necklaces, and I can't find a single piece that even closely resembles the necklace.

I'll grant you that the diamonds are not good quality. But then again, from what I've read about diamonds during the Georgian period, most of the diamonds were crudely cut. As to a hallmark, I was told (perhaps erroneously) that frequently jewelry in that period was not hallmarked.

I just don't know where to go from here. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Answer
HI AGAIN,

A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION BUT NOTHING EXACT I GUESS. YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE HALLMARKS BUT THE '9K' BOTHERS ME. THE EUROPEANS HAVE A PENCHANT FOR 9K NOT THE TURKS. THE DESIGN DOES HAVE A TURKISH FEEL ABOUT IT BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN HANG YOUR HAT ON. THE ONLY POSSIBLE CLUES MIGHT BE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT IT, IF THEY ARE STILL AROUND. ARE THERE ANY IMPORT PAPERS OR BILLS OF SALE THAT MIGHT HELP IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OR SELLERS? THOSE ARE THE ONLY IDEAS I CAN COME UP WITH. GOOD LUCK

PETER

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