Designer Signed Necklace by Shakira Caine - 1990s Indian Mogul Style Pendant and Chain (Sold)

This gorgeous necklace is a real statement jewel from the designer Shakira Caine.  Here we have a beautiful jewelled pendant which is finished with a rich 24 carat gold plate.  The design reflects the Indian Mogul or Moghal Jewellery.  This 1990s vintage pendant is set with glass cabouchons and cut jewels in gorgeous colours.  The jewels in this gold plated necklace are Emerald-Green, Sapphire-Blue, Pink and Diamond-White Austrian Crystals. This lovely necklace is further enhanced with three round glass bead drops, two in green either side of a slightly larger blue bead drop.  A generous gold loop ring is attached to the top of the jewelled pendant and it comes on a fabulous gold plated snake chain.  The chain is chunky and long measuring approximately 30 inches in length and fastening with a secure lobster claw type clasp and ring.   The jewelled pendant is just over 3.5 inches by 1.5 inches wide.  To the reverse of the gold plated jewel pendant is the copyright mark and signature of the designer 'Shakira Caine'.  This vintage pendant and chain is in Excellent condition and is a super and most wearable example of this designer's work. 

JEWELLERY DETAILS

Designer or Brand: Shakira Caine

Country of Origin: Indian Manufacture, UK and USA retailed

Condition: Excellent

Decade: 1990s

Style: Indian Mogul Jewellery

Era: Retro Moghal Jewelry

Type: Pendant Necklace with chain

Material: Glass, Austrian Crystal and 24 carat gold plated metal

Here is a little more information about Shakira Caine's jewellery ranges  

SHAKIRA CAINE JEWELRY DESIGNER

Following a visit to the exhibition of fashions from India at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in the late 1980s  Shakira Caine, whose parents came from Kashmir, was enthralled by the Mogul jewelry.  She learned that many of the pieces on display were reproductions of old jewels and that they had been made in Bombay for the exhibition.

Later she discovered that the woman who supervised the reproductions was Sunita Pitamber, an old friend, and they decided to go into business together. They designed a few necklaces and once these initial designs were complete Shakira Caine took them to Harrods department store in London, where she lived with her husband, the actor Michael Caine. The Harrod's buyer asked to see more and wanted the range to include earrings and bracelets.

By the early 1990s the range available consisted of 30 necklaces, 40 pairs of earrings and 20 bracelets. The jewelry pieces in Shakira Caine's range all have a substantial look, but weigh little. They are made of brass washed in gold.  The jewels and pearls used in the Shakira caine Jewellery Range are glass and faux pearls but they have the look of the real thing.  In 1989 the best seller was a pair of gold earrings ringed in crystal, which at that time sold for $60. Prices for the more complicated pieces went up to $400 at that time. Bergdorf Goodman stocked the jewelry in New York, and Neiman-Marcus and I. Magnin sold the pieces through their California stores.

Shakira Caine also designed jewellery for The Franklin Mint with designs  that reflected her Indian Heritage such as Sultan's treasures range and also a Tahitian pearls range.  On her website there is a statement made in 2011 that states that Shakira Caine no longer designs jewellery thus making the pieces she has been involved with all the more collectable.