[judimcc6]

Caitlin,

Where did you hear about this sale? And what, originally, attracted you to this piece? I mean, aside from the stunning quality of the natural pearls. There are so many pieces of jewelry, in history, that have an amazing history themselves.

[Caitlin]

Hi judi
Someone posted about the sale a couple of weeks ago. Then I got the email press release from Josephine Olley at Bonham's. Then I answered it and asked for photos of the pearls.

Except for the Baroda pearls, I think this piece is about as magnificent as it gets for natural pearls. I check out the auction houses once in a while and see natural pearl necklaces for sale, almost all of which have smaller off round pearls.

Umm Kalthoun's pearl breastplate is very interesting, but not in American taste. There is also much variety in the sizes and shapes of the natural pearls used in it. We have a thread or two about that one too.