Lush and deeply hued, fine natural amethysts form a graduated line of color and refraction in this Victorian or early Edwardian rivière set with diamonds.

Choker length, thirty-three amethysts with a total weight of 47.4 carats, lends a breathtaking presence to the neck and visage. Fourteen of these each count 4 rose cut diamonds as their partners in elegance.

Following these are a line of more amethysts with no diamond accents; all are precisely graduated. The clasp features an oval amethyst as well.

Fifty-six diamonds, with a total weight of 2.16 carats, contrast beautifully with the depth of the purple hues. Their color of H-I and their clarity of VS2-SI2 impart the perfect amount of scintillation.

In 9-10k rose gold, the settings appear star-like when viewed from the reverse. The galleries holding the gemstones and diamonds are crown-shaped.

Historical note: The rivière is a style of necklace worn high on the neck with graduated or same sized pastes, gemstones or diamonds linked one after the other in an articulated line. Studying old paintings reveals a myriad of eras in which these reigned in popularity.

Not to be confused with a strand of pearl worn as a choker, the 18th and early 19th century witnessed all manner of well-to-do ladies adorning their necks in this way.

Revived in the later Victorian era, often with diamonds, the rivière with its simple yet illuminating presence, still survives today. Even the greatest of modern houses, such as Harry Winston, considers it a timeless classic.