Hancocks London paystribute to the allure of Georgian-era design with its Jewel of the Month for July—a diamond rivière dating back to around 1820.
The necklace is setwith 28 old mine brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling an astonishing 110 cts. The largest of the stones, positioned centrally, is estimated at 9.26 cts.
“This isunquestionably one of the finest diamond rivière necklaces we have ever offered
for sale,” said Hancocks London managing director Guy Burton in a statement. “To find a rivière of this age, size, and quality is incredibly rare.”
Each diamond issecured in a cut-down collet setting, silver-fronted and gold-backed to enhance both brilliance and structure—hallmarks of the Georgian period’s meticulous
craftsmanship. On the reverse, discreet hooks suggest the necklace may have
once featured diamond pendeloques, adding grandeur and versatility to its form.
“It’s an antiquejewel that clearly carries an extraordinary history—we can easily imagine it
having royal connections or being worn at a remarkable event,” Burton said.
In researching thejewel’s provenance, Hancocks discovered striking similarities to the
famed Napoleon Diamond Necklace, now housed at the Smithsonian Museum of NaturalHistory. Their center stones are comparable in size, and the two necklaces are
from the same era.
“This only highlightsits extraordinary significance and how exceptionally rare it is for a jewel of this caliber to come to market,” said Burton.
A staple amongEuropean royalty during the 18th and 19th centuries, the rivière necklace
remains a coveted symbol of elegance and prestige. Pricing for the Hancocks
piece is available on request.