Multi-Color Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Oscar Friedman, maker
American, late 20th century
Platinum, sapphires, and diamonds
Length: 17½ in.
Weight: 65.6 g
This finely crafted platinum necklace is set with an exceptional assemblage of 173 natural, unheated sapphires in a spectrum of pastel hues—including pinks, purples, yellows, and blues—cut in varied octagonal and rectangular forms. Together the sapphires weigh approximately 47.79 carats. Interspersed throughout the design are 175 round brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 4.54 carats, graded F–G in color and VS2–SI2 in clarity.
The stones are mounted in a flexible, articulated platinum framework that allows the necklace to drape fluidly along the neckline, combining technical precision with visual rhythm. Finished with a tension-lock clasp and folding safety catch, the piece exemplifies late 20th-century high jewelry craftsmanship, emphasizing both structural integrity and chromatic harmony.
Marked Oscar Friedman, the necklace reflects the designer’s reputation for refined gemstone selection and meticulous workmanship. The sapphires show no indications of heat treatment, underscoring their natural rarity and desirability.
