Arty Necklace Appraisal

Arthur Pepper ART Signed Vintage AB Crystal & Jelly Belly Necklace & Earring Set

This is a vintage costume jewelry demi-parure consisting of a choker-style necklace and matching clip-on earrings, created by Mode-Art (the company owned by Arthur Pepper, commonly known by the 'ART' hallmark). The set features a gold-tone metallic base, likely a plated base metal, designed with a sophisticated floral or foliate motif. The primary aesthetic focus is the 'jelly belly' style cabochons, which are high-domed, translucent Lucite or acrylic stones with a textured, scale-like appearance in chatoyant shades of soft green and iridescent blue. Accenting these cabochons are Aurora Borealis (AB) crystals that provide a prismatic shimmer, alongside small clear rhinestones embedded in the metalwork. The necklace is constructed with articulated links, allowing it to sit flat against the neck, and features a detailed clasp consistent with mid-20th-century production, likely from the late 1950s or 1960s. The earrings are designed as 'ear climbers' or clustered rounds that mirror the necklace's decorative pattern. Condition appears to be excellent for its age, showing some light patina on the reverse metal surfaces and minor age-related wear to the foil backing of the crystals, which gives the stones their characteristic depth. The craftsmanship indicates high-quality vintage costume jewelry, popularized during an era when figural and textured plastic elements were highly fashionable.