A solid fourteen carat white gold chain featuring a diamond set pendant. This is a beautiful piece of period jewellery. The piece consists of a sixteen inch long fourteen carat fine curb link chain with a stunning, hand-made pendant that is set with a series of round old European cut diamonds in the bale and a larger old European cut diamond at the bottom surrounded by graduated diamonds. 

The history of the old European cut diamond begins long before the modern brilliant cut became the industry standard. Developed during the late eighteenth century and refined throughout the nineteenth century, the old European cut represents an important stage in the evolution of diamond cutting. Each stone was shaped entirely by hand, long before the precision of modern machinery allowed diamonds to be cut to exact mathematical formulas.

Characterized by a round outline, a high crown, a small table, and a large open culet, old European cut diamonds were designed to perform under the lighting conditions of their era. Homes, restaurants, and ballrooms were illuminated by candlelight and gas lamps rather than the bright electric lighting we know today. As a result, cutters prioritized broad flashes of light and depth of character over the intense brilliance associated with modern diamonds. The result is a softer, more romantic appearance, with larger facets that create a distinctive play of light often described as warm and liquid.

Unlike contemporary diamonds, no two old European cuts are exactly alike. Every stone reflects the decisions and skill of the individual craftsman who shaped it. Slight asymmetries, hand-finished facets, and subtle variations in proportion are not considered flaws but evidence of the stone's handmade origins. These characteristics give old European cut diamonds a personality that many collectors find absent from modern precision-cut stones.

The old European cut became particularly popular during the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, appearing in everything from engagement rings and brooches to sautoirs and cocktail jewelry. By the 1930s, advances in diamond cutting technology and a growing understanding of light performance led to the development of the modern round brilliant cut, gradually replacing its predecessor.

Today, old European cut diamonds are increasingly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts who value originality, craftsmanship, and historical authenticity. They offer a direct connection to a period when diamonds were shaped by hand and judged not by laboratory measurements but by the eye of a skilled cutter. Their distinctive glow, individual character, and unmistakable vintage charm continue to set them apart more than a century after they first appeared.

The piece is in perfect condition.  It is hallmarked for "14k" gold at the top of the loop attaching it to the chain. The back of the pendant is also stamped "14K". The total chain length is sixteen inches long. It can be added to a longer chain, if so desired. The pendant itself is quite a gorgeous and fairly large size itself at nearly 1.5 inch long to the top of the bale and over half an inch across in diameter.

The diamonds themselves are lovely, bright stones. The largest diamond weighs approximately 0.85 carat and is an H colour and SI clarity. The remainder of thirty four stones are a variety of sizes with a total carat weight of 1.70ct, a colour mix of H-I, and VS-SI and a clarity range. 

An eye catching, unique piece of period jewellery, expertly made and presented in superb condition. Made in America, circa 1920's.