Vintage topaz and gold-over-sterling silver necklace features intricate detail in the silversmith techniques used to handcraft it. Hammered out silver sheet cut into three main components the center shield shape is adjacent to a pair of twisted tear-drop shapes or paisley designs. Each necklace component contains one genuine oval cut and facetted Topaz gemstone with a total weight of 32 cwt.:
- Right bezel set oval 16 mm long x 9 mm wide, x 6 mm thick,
- Center bezel set oval 19 mm long x 13 mm wide x 8 mm thick,
- Left bezel set oval 16 mm long x 9 mm wide x 5 mm thick,
The center component is stamped Made in Israel on the back. The center shield shape measures 2 inches long with an additional length created by seven fluttering 9 mm long leave charms and is 1 1/2 inches wide. Each paisley design side measures 2 inches long and 1/2-inch-wide. Each piece is embellished with tiny individual diamond shaped cut silver pieces, tiny-twisted wire spirals, and granulation bead flowers. There are two rows of 3 flower rosette links on each side, eleven 1/2-inch-long link bars creating a chain 6 inches long chain on each side making for a total necklace length of 18.5 inches and weighs 24.4 grams. Recently we re-electroplated the necklace using 24K gold solution because I like to keep this piece a bright gold.
The paisley design has a rich history as far back as 200 AD, it has spiritual and symbolic meaning including representing abundance, fertility and good luck.