Mid-Century Leafy Sprig Pendant with Citrines in Yellow Gold on Lapis Bead Chain

Two fat little mice in 14 karat yellow gold with silver-blue Tahitian pearl bodies hang happily by their tails from a string of sparkling aquamarine beads. These mice are based on an antique silver charm that we've had in the store for a while. The silver version had a rock crystal bead for a body and no tail, but we thought he would be a great delivery system for pearls. The pearls are smallish Tahitians and in an unusual silver-blue shade you'd more likely associate with Akoya pearls. They're from our trusted pearl dealer, George Hajjar of Seven Seas Pearls with offices in Tokyo and Los Angeles. Mr. Hajjar deals only with saltwater pearls (Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian), and he only deals directly with the pearl farms, so we always know we're getting the real deal. The pearls are baroque in shape and measure 9mm and 11.3mm in diameter. They both show great color and luster, plus some natural flaws -- a few dents, lumps and bumps and a circle (on the larger pearl) but no off-color pits or dull spots. Their long wire tails form loops for hanging from a chain or cord. We think they look great with the aquamarine bead chain...

This is a custom design made in 1998 by San Diego jeweler Lawrence Poon. When he hopped into our lives, this frog was a pin, but The Boss felt he would make a cool pendant...