c1780 Georgian Diamond Necklace

A spectacular Georgian-era, vaguely whale-shaped, pendant with a pear shaped rose cut diamond weighing approximately two carats. On a modern 18K white gold chain. The diamonds are foil-backed, as was the custom in the 18th century, giving them an additional sense of brilliance. The large diamond has not been removed to weigh, but a conservative estimation based on its dimensions puts it around two carats. It has very light yellow color (approximately O-P) and inclusions that would make it approximately SI2, but both color and clarity are difficult to accurately assess with foil-backed diamonds. In any case, it's a magnificently lustrous diamond, and a rare, beautifully designed piece of Georgian-era jewelry. Probably English and dating to approximately 1780.