Victorian Two-Row Old Mine Cut 69.00ct Diamond Rivière Necklace in Silver

Eighty-seven romantic old mine cut diamonds, totalling 69.00 carats, form rivers of ice and fire as they elegantly encircle the neck in this majestic two-row rivière necklace from the late Victorian period. The irregular facets of the alluring old mine cut diamonds that feature in this piece have been expertly set into silver crimped (cut-down) collet settings. The individual collets have been joined together by highly polished rings, which ensure maximum flexibility when this piece is worn around the neck. Silver was widely used to secure weighty diamonds during this period with the much stronger and lustrous platinum not being seen until the end of the century. Diamond rivière necklaces were a highly visible statement of wealth and status during the second half of the 19th-century. Favoured by royalty, Queen Alexandra (1844-1925) often wore multiple diamond necklaces to completely cover her neck. This was in fact to cover a small scar, but quickly became a recognised symbol of royalty and importance. Impressive diamond rivière examples continue to feature in the Royal Collection today with Queen Mary (1867-1953) wearing up to nine at any one time, and bequeathing many examples to her Granddaughter (Queen Elizabeth II).