Lavender Chalcedony and Cubic Zirconia Botanical Pendant

This piece is a contemporary pendant featuring a large, translucent circular cabochon cut stone, likely lavender chalcedony or milady blue chalcedony. The stone exhibits a smooth, high-polish finish with a soft, uniform periwinkle-blue to lavender hue. It is encased in a decorative silver-tone metal setting, which appears to be rhodium-plated sterling silver or high-quality costume alloy. The design is botanical, featuring two stylized branch or leaf motifs that wrap over the top surface of the gemstone. These branches are pavé-set with small, clear round-cut stones, most likely cubic zirconia or small white topazes, which add a subtle sparkle. The pendant is suspended from a similarly styled bail that is also accented with small gemstones. The construction uses a tension-style prong setting to secure the stone, which measures approximately 20-25mm in diameter. The overall condition appears excellent, with no visible chips to the stone or missing pavé accents. The metal surfaces show a bright, mirror-like finish with minimal signs of oxidation or wear. The style is modern with a floral influence, suggesting contemporary manufacture within the last 10-15 years. The craftsmanship is clean, with well-defined metalwork and symmetrical stone placement.

Based on my visual examination of the provided imagery, this appears to be a contemporary fashion jewelry pendant, likely manufactured within the last decade. The centerpiece is a substantial cabochon, appearing consistent with dyed lavender chalcedony given its uniform, translucent periwinkle hue. The setting features a botanical motif executed in a silver-tone metal, likely rhodium-plated sterling silver or a durable base metal alloy, adorned with pavé-set stones that display the optical characteristics of cubic zirconia (CZ). The craftsmanship is tidy, with secure prong work and a high-polish finish. The condition appears excellent, with no visible abrasion to the primary gemstone or missing accent stones. In current market conditions, items of this nature—bridging the gap between high-end costume and entry-level fine silver jewelry—are readily available. There is moderate demand for botanical motifs, but the materials are not inherently rare. Similar suspended pendants in sterling silver with chalcedony and CZ accents typically retail between $60 and $120, with secondhand values falling in the estimated range. It is crucial to note the limitations of a photo-based appraisal. Without physical testing, I cannot definitively confirm if the metal is solid sterling silver (925) or a plated base alloy, nor can I conduct refractive index testing to distinguish the center stone from high-quality glass or synthetic simulants. While the stone resembles chalcedony, a specific gravity test would be required for confirmation. Consequently, this valuation assumes the piece is sterling silver and genuine, albeit likely treated, chalcedony.