This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Lot 1345
Natural "Feather" Pearl Necklace
27 May 2010, 13:00 EDT
New YorkUS$1,800 - US$2,500
Looking for a similar item?
Our Natural History specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistNatural "Feather" Pearl Necklace
Comprising approximately 81 natural Chinese freshwater pearls possessing what is known as a "feather-shape". Feather pearls are known for their curious natural shapes and usually have longitudinal striations, which suggest linear motion. Some natural freshwater pearl shapes, for example the wedge-shaped "wing" pearls such as those found in the Mississippi River delta, occur naturally, but are rarely found among cultivated pearls. This may be because the process by which the pearl sacs are naturally formed has not been simulated in cultivation. The pearl sac's position within the mussel's body strongly influences the shape of the pearl that will grow in it. The present, unusual yet feminine necklace shows a wide array of natural freshwater pearls in entirely natural hues such as white, green, pink, purple, and silvery gray with rose overtones, weighing approximately 325 carats in total, completed by a 14K gold clasp, length 15in.

