This 14k gold Victorian necklace is a celestial stunner, circa the 1880’s. It is a romantic piece, with 25 luminous gemstones hanging as fringe from a woven wheat chain. The moonstones are prong set, and each has been clamped and grommeted into place on the chain. Each crown prong setting was handmade to match each individual stone, the sizes and shapes of which vary—this labor intensive attention to detail can be seen when the settings are looked at from behind. These Victorian moonstones are of excellent quality: they have a blue glow that is seldom found in moonstones of more contemporary eras. The 14k gold chain is delicately handwoven, the perfect compliment to the elegant stones that dangle from it.
Moonstones are known for their visual effect called adularescence, the lit-from-within milky blue glow that emanates from the stone. This effect is caused by crystal structures that diffract the light and cause it to bounce around through alternating layers of materials inside of the stone. This beautiful glow and luminosity is where the gems get their name. Moonstone has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, and the Romans believed it was derived from solidified rays of the moon.
The necklace is unmarked but tests as 14k gold. Everything is original to the piece, except for the 14k gold lobster clasp, which is a replacement. The 25 moonstones equal approximately 40 carats; they graduate in size with the largest center stones as approximately 7/16” x 1/4”, the middle stones as 5/16” x 3/16”, and the smallest outer stones as 1/4” x 3/16”.
The necklace is 15” long and weighs 16.6 grams.
