MORGANITE, CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND NECKLACE, PALOMA PICASSO FOR TIFFANY & Co.

Designed as a uniform line of cultured pearls suspending to the front a triangular-shaped morganite weighing approximately 716 carats to a brilliant-cut diamond set surmount, length approximately 450mm, signed Paloma Picasso, Tiffany & Co.

Cf: John Loring, 'Tiffany Jewels', Harry N. Abrams, NY, 1999, page 222, for a similar example of this pendant.

Cf: John Loring, 'Tiffany Jewels', Harry N. Abrams, NY, 1999, page 222, for a similar example of this pendant. Stamped 18K for 18 carat gold and PT950 for platinum and C for copyright to reverse of pendant and clasp. Cultured pearls well matched in size, slightly off white to yellow in bodycolour with green and rosé overtones. Evidence of wrinkling and pitting marks to some cultured pearls. One cultured pearl with significant cracking to calcite. Silk stringing with evidence of stretching. Estimated total diamond weight approximately 6.00-6.40 carats, bright and lively stones. Morganite weighing approximately 716 carats a pale pink hue, moderate saturation of colour with visible rutile inclusions. In excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Morganite is part of the family of gemstones known as Beryl which includes Emerald and Aquamarine.  Morganite is also known as Pink Beryl.

The gemmologist George Frederick Kunz was working for Tiffany & Co in the Early 20th Century and was very involved in the discovery of this gemstone and another named Kunzite after himself.

In 1911 Morganite was discovered in Pala, California.  Kunz suggested that it should be named after the financier J. P. Morgan, as he was a very good client of Tiffany & Co at that time and very interested in stones. 

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Morgan had become one of the most notable collectors of gem and mineral specimens and owned one of the most important gem collections of the time with over 1000 examples.  His collection was exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris in 1889; the exhibit drew much attention and won two prestigious golden awards. 

Kunz and Tiffany assisted Morgan in building up his collection and a further even more impressive collection was exhibited in Paris in 1900.  These collections were bequeathed to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where they were known as the Morgan-Tiffany and the Morgan-Bement collections.