A Vintage Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Necklace and Earrings Jewellery Set

A fabulous necklace and earrings jewellery set with lapis lazuli stones and sterling silver mounts and chains.

The necklace is 21 inches in length. There are seven lapis lazuli stones set in the necklace and one each on the earrings. The stones are 3/4 of on inch on the longest diameter.

The chain is marked 925 which is the sterling silver quality measure of 925 parts silver per 1000 parts.

The set are in excellent condition. Each stone is complete. There are no chips or cracks. The clasp is in excellent working order.

It is easy to see why Cleopatra favoured this precious stone above all others and the ancient Pharaohs always had lapis lazuli adorning their crowns. The most famous Renaissance and Baroque artists ground lapis lazuli into powder to make ultramarine, the finest and most expensive of all blue pigments. Masaccio, Perugino, Titian and Vermeer all used this pigment for the clothing of the central figure in their paintings most notably the cloak of The Virgin Mary.