Gold, Platinum, Colored Stone, Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace

Centering a ruby carved with foliate motifs measuring approximately 29.9 by 24.8 mm, suspended by a pearl measuring approximately 12.4 by 11.8 mm, supported by a necklace set with ten cushion-cut cabochon sapphires weighing approximately 207.00 carats, accented by 20 old European-cut diamonds weighing approximately 5.50 carats, further decorated with ten carved emerald leaves, length 18½ inches, with French assay and maker's marks; circa 1915.

In good condition overall, with some gentle wear commensurate with age. The sapphires are a light to medium-light slightly violetish blue, translucent to semi-transparent, moderately to heavily included, with some examples showing surface reaching fractures and cavities and others showing some minor chipping commensurate with wear.The emeralds are a light to medium-light bluish green, moderately to heavily included, translucent to semi-transparent. The carvings are consistent and well done. The ruby is a deep violetish red, heavily included and translucent. There is a filled, former drill hole at the center of the stone. Nicely carved. The semi-baroque pearl has a silvery white body color, with evident ringing and peeling, good luster. The diamonds are approximately I-J color, VS-SI clarity. Accompanied by GIA report no. 2155308900 stating that the pearl is natural, saltwater.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. 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. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Accompanied by GIA report no. 2155308900 stating that the pearl is natural, saltwater.

Doris Mercer (1889 – 1963), the daughter of a Pittsburgh police captain, ran away from home at the age of eighteen seeking fame on the New York stage.  Having limited success as an actress and being a comely blonde beauty, she married three times: first to society gossip magazine publisher Percival Harden, then to retail magnate Sebastian Kresge, founder of K-Mart, and lastly to Prince Farid-Khan Sadri-Qajar of Persia.  With this final marriage, Doris became a princess, a title she assumed for the rest of her life despite having legally relinquished the honor upon her divorce.  After living in Paris for almost a decade, she returned to the United States where she purchased property from the Glen Alpin Estate in Harding Township, New Jersey.  Despite her extravagant early life, Doris was beset with hard times in her twilight years.  She experienced the theft of her sizeable jewelry collection which was later recovered by the FBI in a Texas junkyard.  She suffered further insult when maliciously swindled by a suitor whom she had hoped to make husband number four.  In order to pay property taxes, Doris was forced to auction the contents from her Glen Alpin Estate along with her fabulous jewels in 1959.  This necklace was purchased by a relative of Doris’s attorney and the “Princess Necklace,” as it became known, was passed through the generations to the present owners.