Belle Epoque Opal and Diamond Pendant

This is a stunning example of early Belle Epoque jewellery, with a incredible Australian Opal surrounded by diamond set swags and bow. The Old Cut diamonds are set into silver, which has oxidised beautifully with time.

The silver settings are backed with 15ct gold (tested) which helps us date the piece, as this method of layering gold and silver was used before platinum was introduced as a white metal in the very late 1800s. White gold alloys were not used until the 1920s, so before both of these jewellers used silver as a white metal to set diamonds into, with a base of gold for strength.

The quality of this piece is hard to match, and it even retains its fitted case. The case is stamped 'Nathan & Co, 31 Corporation Street Birmingham'

Nathan and Co moved to Corporation Street from Union Street in 1878, and catered to the top end of the trade. It seems that most of their jewellery was made by their sister firm Nathan Brothers, so it is likely that this was made by them at around the time they moved. 

Originally, this would have had a brooch fitting- behind the opal is a tiny scew that can seperate the lower section from the bow and swags. It makes a truly stunning pendant, and is now paired with a later platinum trace chain.

Total Calculated Diamond Weight - 1.83 carat

Diamond Colour - H/I

Diamond Clarity - VS2-SI2