Circa 1910 Chalcedony Pendant

Dating to circa 1910, this .955 silver pendant necklace features a lavender-blue chalcedony fashioned into an elongated, asymmetrical geometric drop with broad, polished faces and beveled edges. The gemstone is suspended from a decorative silver mounting with scrolling foliate details and overlapping leaves that embrace its upper edge. A silver snake chain completes the necklace. With a silver content of 95.5%, .955 silver is a higher-purity alloy than traditional sterling silver. Its relatively high silver content makes it generally softer and more malleable, characteristics that can be useful in creating finely worked decorative elements.

Chalcedony is a microcrystalline variety of quartz, prized for its soft translucency and subtle, often cloudy coloration. Unlike transparent faceted gemstones, its appeal lies in the gentle diffusion of light through the material. Here, the broad faces of the stone emphasize its lavender-blue color rather than brilliance.