Belle Époque Garnet Doublet and Pearl Lavalier Necklace

Named after the Duchess Louise de La Vallière, a mistress of French King Louis XIV, lavalier necklaces have been loved and sought after for centuries. Sleek and sensual, these finely crafted pendants often culminate with a single pearl or a glistening gemstone drop -- reminiscent of a tear running off the cheek, or a drop of dew on the tip of a leaf. This wonderfully curvaceous Belle Époque era pendant is crafted in 9k yellow gold and dotted with delicate natural seed pearls and millegrain detailing. Mounted in the center of the pendant is a beautiful round faceted garnet doublet that glistens in the light. Dangling from the bottom of the pendant is another striking teardrop shaped doublet. Widely used in antique jewelry, doublets are a type of assembled gem designed to imitate other, more expensive or fragile gems. This particular doublet is a garnet and glass doublet, which is made by fusing a clear garnet on top of green glass. Garnet and glass doublets were first used in the 1850