Important Jewelry

Born Countess Nadja Ostrovska in Rome, Nadja Buckley emerged as one of the most distinctive female jewelry designers of mid-century America, bringing an unmistakable sense of European sophistication to the bold glamour of postwar fashion. Working during the 1940s and 1950s, at a time when few women achieved prominence in the jewelry trade, Buckley developed a dramatic and highly sculptural aesthetic defined by sweeping forms, lavish scale, and vividly colored large gemstones. Her jewelry was sold through prestigious retailers including Bonwit Teller and Georg Jensen. Renowned for combining European elegance with dramatic American glamour, she received the prestigious Diamonds U.S.A. award, and her work has appeared in advertisements and editorials in major publications including Vogue and Glamour. Today, Nadja Buckley's work is exceptionally rare and often unsigned, contributing to their scarcity at auction.

Overall Condition: Moderate scratching to metal consistent with age and use. Some abrasion to aquamarine, with a few small nicks to girdle. Acid test indicates 14 karat gold. Aquamarine measures approximately 29.90 x 19.90 x 11.85 mm.

Diamond Characteristics (graded insofar as mounting permits)
Color: G-H-I (a few K-L).
Clarity: VS-SI.

Any information appearing in the Condition Report should be treated as opinion and is provided as a courtesy. Freeman’s is not responsible for any discrepancies, errors, or errors of omission. Please contact [email protected] to request a Condition Report, if none is provided, or to request additional information or photographs of this lot. All lots are sold “AS IS”.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

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