[Casey.R]

Have you seen this yet? This necklace sure does look interesting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070927/...eantoinette_dc

[salem]

Wow, what a find. I wish I could see them, wherever they will be offered to the public for viewing. I bet they go for more, maybe much more than the estimate. I think there are a lot of people who are fascinated by Marie Antoinette, and to own such a special piece would truly be remarkable. Not to mention the interest by the museums.

[youngster]

Fascinating. But, honestly, I think the Sutherland family should donate them to the Louvre. After all, they belonged to Marie Antoinette (who obviously thought she would get them back some day) and so it seems as though they should have gone back to her descendants ages ago and then to the people of France. Guess possession really is 9/10's of the law!

[salem]

Originally Posted by youngster

After all, they belonged to Marie Antoinette (who obviously thought she would get them back some day) and so it seems as though they should have gone back to her descendants ages ago and then to the people of France. Guess possession really is 9/10's of the law!

Well, I am sure the family would have given them to her decendants, but her son was killed too, wasn't he? As far as I know, her line was wiped out with him. And even if you went into her brother's family, then they would have gone to the ruling party of Austria. And I can't see Austria having any claim in a French queens jewels.

[salem]

Aha, I see. I just went to Wikipedia, and I guess MArie had four children all together? Unless I misread, two died as children. Her son, the Dauphin, died of Tuberculosis in jail. Her other doughter did survive the revolution, but remained childless. The things Inever knew.

[Slraep]

The necklace was commisioned some 50 years after the execution of the French Queen, fondly remembered as "Madame Deficit". It is only the loose pearls that belonged to her. Vive la perle naturel!

Personally I don't care for the design of the necklace and I don't think Marie Antoinette would have cared for the design either. The natural pearls on the other hand, well, that's another story. Drool, drool.

Slraep

[Kevin Canning]

maybe its just me, my monitor or the picture - but am I the only one who finds grey pearls with a brown overtone, less then appealing? Yes the are natural, but that doesn't automatically make them beautiful to me.

Certainly the historical aspects are interesting but the actual design and pearls are not moving me in the slightest.

[Slraep]

Hi Kevin,

You are right about the grey colour. The necklace is made up of 33 natural pearls, which include 21 gray drop pearls and 12 button-shaped pearls.

I really don't like the stiff, almost geometric design of the actual necklace. I don't know why they used rubies along with diamonds as accents. Maybe the colour of the rubies does something magical to offset the grey pearls--- but I doubt it. I wonder what jeweller made that thing(1849). Remind me not to use him(as if).

Slraep

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by PearlsOfJoy.com

maybe its just me, my monitor or the picture - but am I the only one who finds grey pearls with a brown overtone...

No... Clearly they are fine pearls, but definitely not the finest a queen of France might have had. The setting and price gives them their due...methinks. Would imagine that much of the value comes from provenance.

I ma not saying that those are not fine natural pearls! Just clearly not the finest imaginable. Perhaps their flaws stand out more because of their provenance: after all, the same ranks of folks mentioned as previous owners would indeed be associated with some of the most extraordinary jewelry. 'Guess 'provenance' works both ways: to pump up price, but also pump up expectations even more so...

Their imperfection also brings home the rarity of natural pearls. They were fit for a queen after all!

All these things that come to mind infront of a historic bit of jewelry. These things have a way of attracting attention, don't they


I can barely understand what it might have taken to assemble that set as it is.... Can't imagine the process of achieving a set like THESE

Perhaps some of the pearl folk posting here and dealing with naturals could come up with an estimate: how long and how much search might have taken to put such a set up (as the one in the necklace being auctioned, not the Youssupov picture)? Is it even possible today with how few new natural pearls are being harvested (as opposed to recycled from old jewelry)?

[Slraep]

Here's a better view of it. Yes, it's uglier than I thought. No way Marie Antoinette would have been impressed with the design.

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by Slraep

No way Marie Antoinette would have been impressed with the design.

Hm... these 'slave necklaces' with their stiff frames, rope and chain motifs went out of favour and out of sight completely. Apparently many, many others agreed with you over time.

What do you see as a major shortcomming of this one?

[Slraep]

Originally Posted by Valeria101

I can barely understand what it might have taken to assemble that set as it is.... Can't imagine the process of achieving a set like THESE

Now we are talking jewels!!! That is one of my favourite tiaras. It's stunning. Imagine prancing around in that thing and Boo's sandals. That tiara just haunts me. Coincidentally, the tiara was in the collection of Queen Mary too. If I am not mistaken, it comes apart into two daintier tiaras. Or maybe it was altered. It was originally part of the Yussupov jewels. What more could a girl want? I think Marie Antoinette would approve. Diana found the tiara was too heavy and it gave her a headache. What a silly princess.

What do you see as a major shortcomming of this one?

Too many of them, so I would have to say---pretty much everything.

Slraep

[Casey.R]

Well I don't know about the pearls cause I haven't seen them in person of course, but I like the design ( nice sizes). It's unique and if I owned it I'd wear it for sure.

[Valeria101]

Can't say I hate it... the colors and model reminds me of a medieval clown's bells and patchy coat. Not too bad making fun of pearls, just once.

[GemGeek]

I feel like I'm outing myself.

Okay -- I like the necklace.
And I like brown/brownish pearls.
And brown diamonds.
And Padparascha-color Sapphire, even Be treated, even if it's become cliche'.
Oh, and it's me that buys all the offbeat colors of spinel.