Antique Style Emerald Necklace 0.77 Ct., 18K White Gold

This custom made necklace setting presents a refined combination of pave and halo design principles, rendered with antique inspired detailing for a timeless yet contemporary statement piece. The visible octagonal halo in the images shows a center aperture designed to accept a round or cushion center stone, surrounded by a tight ring of small diamonds set in pave, creating a continuous field of light. In the pave style, individual stones are set closely together, often in shared or bead settings, so that the metal recedes and the surface reads as an uninterrupted expanse of sparkle, which enhances perceived size and brilliance without adding bulk. In the halo arrangement, the center stone is framed by a ring of smaller stones, which increases apparent diameter, intensifies light return, and focuses the eye on the center gem, producing a striking, eye catching effect that is especially effective when the halo profile is octagonal or geometrically detailed as shown here. Choosing the antique design option brings in additional craftsmanship elements such as milgrain edges and a decorative gallery, which complement the pave and halo to create depth, shadow play, and a rich visual texture that reads as both elegant and meticulously finished.

When selecting the center gemstone, understanding origin, treatment, clarity and color is essential to an educated buyer, and this setting is designed to showcase high quality stones in sapphire, ruby, emerald, or other gem species. Sapphires are corundum and are prized for their saturated blue tones and durability, with classic sources including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Kashmir when available, each origin providing distinct color nuances and rarity profiles. Rubies also derive from corundum, with Burmese and Mozambican stones commanding premium values for vivid pigeon blood to deep purplish red hues, and with heat treatment commonly used to improve color and clarity which should be disclosed and documented. Emeralds are typically valued for color first, with Colombian and Zambian material often preferred for their tone and transparency, while clarity is more variable due to natural inclusions, which can be acceptable when the gem is eye clean or when inclusions are stable and well understood. For all center gems, certification from reputable laboratories such as GIA, AGL or other recognized gemological laboratories is recommended, and I can assist in sourcing stones with documented treatment histories, clarity grades typically described as eye clean or with specific clarity descriptions, and color saturation grades that match the aesthetic and investment profile you prefer.

The diamonds used in the pave halo and surrounding decor are selected and set with precision to maximize brightness and longevity, and we specify melee quality parameters that balance value and optical performance. For pavé applications, cut is the most important attribute, because well cut small diamonds return light consistently, creating that continuous scintillation effect, and therefore ideal ranges would be very good to excellent cuts when available. Color choices in melee typically range from near colorless to faint color, commonly in the G to H range for white gold and rose gold settings, or I to J when a warmer yellow gold setting is chosen, with clarity often in the VS to SI1 range to ensure eye clean appearance and consistent sparkle across matched stones. Micro pave setting techniques are employed by master setters, using precise seat drilling, uniform bead forming, and close spacing so that the metal is minimal and the stones read as a single luminous surface. The finish details you see, including the consistent grain work, flush alignment of stones, and tight uniform spacing, are indicators of high grade hand finishing rather than machine assembly, which results in a more seamless, elegant look and improved light performance overall.

Structural integrity and craftsmanship are core to this custom necklace setting, and material selection and fabrication methods are chosen to ensure long term durability as well as aesthetic refinement. Choice of metal matters for wear and for the security of delicate pavé work, and we offer 14K rose gold, 14K white gold, 18K white gold, 14K yellow gold, 18K yellow gold, and platinum 950, each with predictable performance characteristics. Fourteen karat gold alloys are harder and more scratch resistant than 18 karat options, which makes them practical for everyday wear, while eighteen karat gold offers a richer metal tone and higher gold content for collectors who prioritize purity and luster. Platinum 950 provides excellent tensile strength, low wear loss, and a secure bed for prongs and settings, making it particularly well suited for fine pavé and high value center stones. Structural features include reinforced prong shoulders or a low profile bezel to cradle the center gem, a closed or semi open gallery with latticework to protect the pavilion while allowing light return, and secure chain attachment points that distribute load away from the delicate halo edge. All solder joints are fully blended and stress relieved, and surfaces are finished with precision polishing and optional rhodium plating for white gold to maintain color and surface resistance. We recommend routine inspection of pavé beads and prongs at least annually, with professional cleaning and tightening as needed, which preserves both beauty and resale value. For the educated buyer this piece represents a considered balance of gemological quality, certified provenance, matched melee, and robust atelier level construction, making it a technically sound and visually compelling addition to a fine jewelry collection.