Questions About Necklace Enhancer

[dot80]

Hello,

I recently inherited a double strand set of Mikimoto Pearls (with appraisal) and an item that was described as an enhancer, but I have no paperwork or appraisals on it. I know the owner wore it clipped to either the double strand or a single strand of pearls. Now I have no other information on the enhancer but wanted to know if anyone either A) could point me in the direction of what brand it could be or B) shed some light on what the particular "shape" of it is. Pear? Heart?

There are nine baguettes, nineteen round diamonds and the large centerpiece. I am positive that when it was purchased the center had an actual diamond in it but two jewelers have verified that the stone in the center is now glass, and all the surrounding diamonds are still real. They also both noted that a few of the prongs surrounding the main stone have been bent, further indicating the piece had been "adjusted" at some point in time. I can not imagine that someone would make a piece that had so many real stones (no matter how small) and put in pure glass in the center. Also I know the owner would have never owned such a piece, so I am just really confused and searching for answers wherever I can think of.

I will attach a photo of the entire necklace/piece. It's not great, I took it with my cellphone before leaving it to be cleaned.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[Kitsunegrl]

The pearls are lovely!
As far as the enhancer, what a shame about the center stone. Do you think it is possible that someone removed the stone and replaced it with glass before giving it to you? If you like the enhancer, you could always put another gemstone like a blue topaz or amethyst or even a diamond in the center. I don't have any ideas about the brand.

 

[kohl_mascara]

Ahhh. .. the switch. It happened to my grandma's ring at our FAMILY jeweler and I'm not surprised it happened again. I would assume it happens a lot with small, irreputable (perhaps even reputable jewelers). I'm sorry about the center being glass - I would do as Kitsune recommended and replace it with a semi-precious or precious stone.

The shape of it reminds me of an anatomical heart and I'm sorry I can't help you with a brand either. Perhaps it's custom made if it isn't marked on the back. Most brand name items will have some sort of marking on it.

 

[girliceclimber]

So you think the person who gave you the necklace thought it was a real diamond and at some point someone switched it? That's terrible! I like the suggestion to get the center stone replaced with a colored stone like amethyst.
As for the brand of the jewelry, does it have any stamps other than the material stamp? Sometimes jewelers will stamp initials or marks on their pieces.

 

[dot80]

I know that this piece was purchased by my Grandparents and it is at least 20 years old, as it was purchased after the pearls (late 80's). She had a LOT of very very nice jewelery and would have never knowingly worn a fake stone. The enhancer/pearl combo was one of her favorite pieces and it got a lot of wear.

After she passed the jewelry stayed with another relative for nearly 6 months and I fear something could have happened to it then. I worry mostly because I had to actually hire an attorney to even get these items into my possession, despite the fact I was left them in a will. I'm also aware of several cases in the past decade that had been brought up against the particular jewelry store that she would frequent to get her rings cleaned. They were busted by more than one person for switching stones out, so I worry it's possible that it was switched many years ago and she was just unaware.

There are no markings inside it. My jeweler took a look at it under magnification and was unable to find anything that would identify it. I wondered if St. John made any pieces like that, she had a lot of their "costume" type jewelry that went with their line of St. John Knits (her favorite clothing line).

Thank you all for your replies and I adore the idea of replacing it with a colored stone. I hadn't even thought of that and her birthstone was Amethyst so that would make it very special!