Andrew Grima (British, b. Italy, 1921–2007), Necklace, 1970s, gold, diamonds

Audio Description

Designed by British jeweler Andrew Grima, this necklace was made in the 1970s. Grima was born in 1921 in Italy and died in 2007.

This necklace is made of matte yellow gold. It has an overall texture with small voids in the surface and it is slightly concave. It is narrow around the neck and forms a wide triangular point at the center front. The triangle is embellished with three pea pod-shaped, recessed shapes, which are randomly placed on the triangle. One of the pods has three faceted diamonds in it; the other two contain four faceted diamonds.

Label Copy

Designed by British jeweler Andrew Grima, this necklace was made in the 1970s. Grima was born in 1921 in Italy and died in 2007.

Grima was most interested in the color, shape, and texture of his jewelry, rather than the value of the individual components used to make it. He preferred yellow gold because of its warm color. And in general, he was averse to polishing the material, always adding texture to the surface to replicate nature more closely.

Vibrating with energy, Grima has included small diamonds to this piece almost, it seems, as an afterthought. Nestled like peas in asymmetrically set pods, they are used as a design element, rather than adding to the overall value or prestige of the necklace. Although it appears rough and perhaps uncomfortable to wear, this shredded gold example is fully articulated to lie easily on the body.

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