A popular design throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly among royal families and the upper crust of society, there appears to be renewed interest in it as a sophisticated and timeless fine jewellery option—particularly in iterations with uniform diamonds. As a result, jeweller Hancocks London has picked a great specimen from the Victorian era to spotlight as its November jewel of the month. Guy Burton, director of Hancocks London, said, "It is beautifully articulated and feels wonderfully silky and fluid." "The diamonds are bright and lively, with a nicely graduated tapering from front to back."
"This necklace is a lovely example of its kind, with a delicate femininity that not many have," he added. "It even conceals a small secret!" The largest diamond in the centre conceals a hinged, drop-down loop, implying that a pendant could be added. This is a lovely added feature that increases the piece's versatility and allows for personalization."
The item (with 12 carats of old-cut diamonds) comes in its original silk- and velvet-lined leather box from Hunt & Roskell, a prominent jeweller on Bond Street who held Queen Victoria's royal warrant for many years. It's monogrammed in gold with the year of manufacture, 1860, and the letters L.H. for whoever it originally belonged to! Top: This Victorian rivière diamond necklace (approximately 1860) with 12 carats total weight of old-cut diamonds is Hancocks London's November 2022 Jewel of the Month (photos courtesy of Hancocks London).
