The Nouveau period, c.1890-1910, ushered in new personal freedoms for women, such as being able to wear dresses with v-shaped necklines that showed a small amount of chest. With the new necklines came new jewelry designs, such as negligee necklaces like this. In this case a Sapphire and Diamond are suspended on fine Diamond-studded wires from another wire which keeps the two dangles evenly spaced. The wires are incredibly fine yellow gold which are then topped with platinum; likewise, the main gems are set in fine platinum bezels finished with milgrain details. The goal of pieces like this were not to overwhelm, but to be dainty and feminine, and to draw the eye down to the drops. This is a particularly good example, with a large rose cut set in a foil backed setting which may predate the piece, and a royal blue Sapphire of unparalleled quality which unite in an unforgettable piece.

Details: Platinum over 18k yellow gold negligee necklace with .52ct round Blue Sapphire (Ceylon, Unheated) and .25ct rose cut Diamond (SI2 clarity, JK color) and .04ct Diamond accents. Pendant circa 1900, 14k white gold chain is a later addition.