Art Deco Style Black Onyx and Marcasite Sterling Silver Pendant

This is a vintage-inspired pendant featuring a large, polished oval cabochon of black onyx held within a silver-toned metal setting, likely sterling silver. The piece is approximately 3.5 to 4 centimeters in length. The primary design element is an elegant, swirling scroll motif that serves as the decorative bail, extending down the front of the gemstone. This scroll is intricately pave-set with numerous small, faceted marcasite stones and finished with delicate milgrain edging, a hallmark of Art Deco and Art Nouveau Revival styles. A smaller, matching decorative cap is positioned at the base of the onyx bead, providing visual balance in a 'drop' silhouette. The black onyx displays a high-gloss, reflective surface with no visible deep scratching or chipping, while the marcasite stones appear to be mostly intact, retaining their characteristic metallic luster. The metal shows a slight dark patina consistent with aged silver, which enhances the detail of the grain work. Based on the construction and styling, this piece likely dates from the late 20th century, specifically the 1980s or 1990s, when Art Deco revival jewelry was highly popular. The craftsmanship is refined, with smooth transitions between the gemstone and the metal hardware.

Upon visual examination of this Art Deco Revival pendant, I find it to be a well-crafted piece characteristic of the late 20th-century market. The primary stone is a large, high-polish oval black onyx cabochon, which appears free of chips or surface abrasions. The silver-toned setting, consistent with .925 sterling silver, features a scrolling bail and decorative terminal cap set with marcasite. The metallic luster of the marcasite and the presence of milgrain detailing suggest a quality production from the 1980s or 1990s. The patina is even and desirable, highlighting the intricate metalwork. The market for vintage-inspired silver and onyx jewelry remains stable; however, these pieces were mass-produced for mid-tier department stores, which limits rarity. Comparable sales for similar sterling/marcasite/onyx 'drop' style pendants typically fall in the sub-$100 range. The value is driven by the size of the onyx and the integrity of the pave-set marcasites, which are prone to falling out over time; note that this piece appears to have its full complement. While the visual details are consistent with sterling silver and genuine onyx, definitive authentication is limited by the digital format. A physical inspection is required to confirm the '925' hallmark, verify the gems via polariscope, and perform a gemstone hardness test. No provenance was provided, which is typical for such items, and value is based strictly on the aesthetic and material composition of the artifact.