DATE: Art Deco, c.1930

This beautiful string of akoya pearls dates from the Art Deco era; home to a perfectly matched collection of graduated pearls, and a rather lovely white gold filigree clasp. The pearls range from 7.5mm to 3.7mm, and it's 16.5 inches in length. 

Pearls have been prized for their beauty and scarcity since ancient times. Indeed, the very word pearl itself has become a metaphor for something rare, valuable, admirable, and beautiful. Composed of layer upon layer of calcium and conchiolin (aka nacre), akoya pearls, like natural pearls, are grown within the soft tissue of certain mollusks - the shellfish add layers of natural nacre around a (surgically inserted) round nucleus. Basically, they're a defence mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant or parasite within the shell. So, essentially, a pearl is the final incarnation of a bivalve's immune response to an unwanted guest within the shell. Couldn't make it up.

STONES 

Akoya pearls

MEASUREMENTS 

Wearable length: 16.5 inches

Pearls range from 7.5mm to 3.7mm

Clasp: 10.3 x 4.8mm

WEIGHT 

12.7g

MARKS 

Clasp stamped 10k

CONDITION 

Excellent