Hancocks London Unveils 110 Ct. Georgian Rivière Necklace

By Annie Davidson Watson | July 08, 2025

Hancocks London pays tribute to the allure of Georgian-era design with its Jewel of the Month for July—a diamond rivière dating back to around 1820.

The necklace is set with 28 old mine brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling an astonishing 110 cts. The largest of the stones, positioned centrally, is estimated at 9.26 cts.

“This is unquestionably one of the finest diamond rivière necklaces we have ever offered for sale,” said Hancocks London managing director Guy Burton in a statement. “To find a rivière of this age, size, and quality is incredibly rare.”

Each diamond is secured in a cut-down collet setting, silver-fronted and gold-backed to enhance both brilliance and structure—hallmarks of the Georgian period’s meticulous craftsmanship. On the reverse, discreet hooks suggest the necklace may have once featured diamond pendeloques, adding grandeur and versatility to its form.

“It’s an antique jewel that clearly carries an extraordinary history—we can easily imagine it having royal connections or being worn at a remarkable event,” Burton said.

In researching the jewel’s provenance, Hancocks discovered striking similarities to the famed Napoleon Diamond Necklace, now housed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Their center stones are comparable in size, and the two necklaces are from the same era.

“This only highlights its extraordinary significance and how exceptionally rare it is for a jewel of this caliber to come to market,” said Burton.

A staple among European royalty during the 18th and 19th centuries, the rivière necklace remains a coveted symbol of elegance and prestige. Pricing for the Hancocks piece is available on request.

(Photo courtesy of Hancocks London)

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