This lovely antique cameo from the late 1800's depicts the Greek goddess, Ariadne, in a rare and valuable left-facing profile. The 3-D detail of the piece is quite spectacular. Ariadne is rendered in vulcanite and set in English Whitby Jet, which is a fossilized coal found only on the coast of England. Vulcanite, like other forms of black jewelry, was the height of fashion between 1860 and 1890 in Victorian England.
The cameo is set with one spectacular white topaz stone. Fourteen additional stones (black onyx, white topaz, and white pearl) decorate the bale. The cameo is set in sterling silver; the Mars & Valentine logo is found on the back.
The cameo in its setting measures 2 1/4". Total finished length, including the bale, is 4". It is 1 7/8" wide. Dimensions include stones.
The necklace itself is composed of 6 strands of freshwater pearls, black onyx, pyrite, and crystal in different sizes and shapes. The large and very lustrous keshi pearls add elegance and drama to the stranding.
The necklace is 18" long and finished at the ends with Mars & Valentine's signature sterling silver cones embellished with leaf appliqués. Closure is a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.
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