Exquisite Ruby & Pearl Butterfly Flits Along with Keshi Pearls & Tourmaline

This very beautiful vintage French butterfly, which looks like it has been made of delicate stained glass, is composed of what is known as plique-a-jour enamel. The translation from the French means “letting in daylight”. It is a vitreous enamelling technique where the enamel is applied to cells, similar to cloisonne but without a backing, so that the light can shine through the transparent enamel. In effect, it is a miniature stained glass. It is a challenging technique with a high failure rate.

This finely crafted butterfly has flown to success. It is enriched by ruby eyes and wing details. Its body is made of fine marcasite and its face is a cultured white pearl. The actual frame of the butterfly is of sterling silver, marked 925, the continental silver mark. It measures 5.5cm (2.5”) across and 5cm (2”) high.

The butterfly represents beauty, love, affection, rebirth and immortality.

The necklace itself is made of a flutter of white, cultured keshi pearls (12mm) interspersed with peridot(10mm) and pink tourmaline slivers, echoing the colours of the plique-a-jour butterfly.

A handsome, sterling silver toggle clasp has been used because toggle clasps are easy to use and secure. My silver name label is attached at the clasp.

The necklace comes, like all my necklaces, with its own colour co-ordinated silk brocaded pouch bag, made by a Shanghai tailor.

The necklace is 42cm (16.5”) long with a 6cm (2.5”) pendant drop.