The dust motes danced in the afternoon sun, illuminating the almost imperceptible tarnish on the Napier clasp. My magnifying glass, as always, was my constant companion. It was late, and I’d been poring over the provenance of this silver-tone collar necklace for hours. Not exactly how I envisioned spending a Tuesday, but the client demanded a thorough assessment.

This particular piece, from what I could discern, is a later-period Napier creation. Its construction is telling. The beads, while uniformly sized and impeccably strung – a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality – are not perfectly spherical. A tiny, almost unnoticeable flattening gives them a distinctly 1960s vibe. A touch of the Space Age, really, although it screams Mid-Century Modern louder. It’s a nice design element, frankly.

And that’s the thing about Napier. They were masters of the faux. They created jewelry that looked expensive without necessarily being expensive. Compare this collar to some of the more elaborate Miriam Haskell pieces, crafted with real pearls and painstakingly hand-wired; this Napier piece represents affordability, but not at the expense of style.

Its silver tone is, of course, a critical aspect of its value. While solid sterling silver pieces from that era fetch a much higher price, the silver plating on this necklace is exceptionally well done, exhibiting minimal wear considering its age. The 16-inch length is also a classic, and the taper towards the back subtly guides the eye. It’s designed to sit perfectly at the collarbone. Lovely.

The only real “flaw,” if you could call it that, is the clasp itself. It’s functional, certainly, but a bit… fragile. I’ve seen this type of clasp fail on similar pieces. My advice? Don’t yank it open and closed. Handle it with a little finesse. It’s a small price to pay for such a handsome piece of vintage jewelry, though, right? A simple repair from a jeweler can easily restore it.

For the woman who appreciates timeless design, and wants a statement piece without the astronomical price tag, this Napier collar necklace is a no-brainer. Go for it. You won’t regret it. Just handle it with a touch of care.