Vintage French Necklace, Two Flying Swallows Carrying a Pear Shaped Diamond

Antique jewellery object group: necklace

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: France

Style: Vintage Fifties (of the twentieth century)

Style specifics: This type of jewellery is very specific for the fifties of the twentieth century. All sorts of animals were used as a source of inspiration for the goldsmiths. Made in gold and decorated with enamel and precious stones, the result of their labour most of the times well-made, clever and cute.

Period: ca. 1950

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: Swallow - Swallows symbolize the incarnation of Christ, or also His resurrection because of their arrival in spring. There are nonetheless also regional differences regarding their meaning. Swallow nests can mean joy, marriages and children, while in Japan swallows symbolize infidelity because supposedly they change partners very often.

Material: platinum and 18ct yellow gold

Diamond(s): One pear-shaped, old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of 0.60ct. (colour and clarity: K, i).
28 old brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of 1.00ct. (colour and clarity: H/K, si).

Total diamond count: 29 pcs.

Total diamond weight: approx. 1.60 ct.

- All diamond weights, colour grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Precious stones: One ruby with an estimated weight of 0.04ct.

- All colour stone weights are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and ruby for July.

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18ct gold representing an eagle's head (that was in use in France from about 1838) and the French control mark for platinum representing a dog's head (that was in use in France from about 1912).

Dimensions: width of two swallows 8,00 cm (3,15 inch), total length necklace 45,00 cm (17,72 inch)

Weight: 51,80 gram (33,31 dwt)