18ct Gold Amethyst Necklace by David Thomas, 1968, Lady Joel

18ct gold and amethyst necklace, David Thomas, 1968, featuring a large raw natural amethyst, with polished crystal formation to the top mounted within a gold frame of complex triangle lattice work, completed by a chain of similar design, the amethyst can be removed, pendent length approximately 78 mm, chain length approximately 560 mm, total weight including amethyst pendant 89.80 grams, maker's mark D.A.T. For David Thomas, London assay marks and date marks. Lady Joel was a celebrated former model with a supremely elegant sense of style. Her husband, Sir Asher, was a distinguished member of the NSW Parliament, best known for his organisation of great state events including numerous official visits to Sydney by the late Queen and Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family. Sir Asher and lady Joel acquired the David Thomas designed gold and amethyst necklace and pendant (which could be detached and worn as a brooch) while in London in 1968. Given Sir Asher's decades long connection to the Royal Family, it was perhaps not surprising that he was an admirer of Thomas's work; the Queen appointed David Thomas Crown Jeweller. Amongst many famous commissions, he designed lady Diana Spencer's sapphire and diamond engagement ring (now the engagement ring of the current Princess of Wales) as well as Diana and Prince Charles's wedding rings. He remained Diana's personal jeweller until her death. More recently, he made Meghan Markle's engagement ring, sourcing its central diamond from Botswana and utilising several smaller diamonds that had belonged to Princess Diana. After training with the Swedish Crown Jeweller and Georg Jensen, Thomas completed his studies at the Royal College of Art where he was appointed 'Royal Scholar'. In 1961, the same year he graduated, he was selected to exhibit his work in the ground breaking 'International exhibition of modern jewellery 1890-1961' at Goldsmith's hall in London. Thomas's abstract jewels were considered an exciting alternative to the traditional jewellery of the time and, along with his contemporary Andrew Grima, he soon gained international acclaim. In her essay "Four modern Jewellers; Innovation in British Jewellery" published in 'London Originals', the jewellery expert and author Joanna Hardy wrote that David Thomas was one of the most innovative independent Jewellers of the 1960's. He was known for his fine castings that led to the creation of new techniques, such as 'Setting finished gold wires in casting wax so that each wire would stay finer and more polished that the surrounding cast-gold shapes.' lady Joel's necklace and pendant was acquired by her in the same year that Thomas created a similar necklace and pendant subsequently purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum. His work is represented in a number of other significant collections including those of de Beers diamonds and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Alexandra Joel