131ct Turquoise and Seed Pearl Necklace, Strömdahl, Stockholm Sweden, 1960
The 1960s brought a new sense of freedom to jewelry design. Forms became cleaner, silhouettes more sculptural, and color took center stage. Designers increasingly looked beyond diamonds and embraced ornamental gemstones for their character, texture, and visual impact. Few stones captured the imagination of the era quite like turquoise.
Prized for over five thousand years, from Ancient Egypt and Persia to the American Southwest, turquoise possesses a color unlike any other gemstone. Neither fully blue nor green, it evokes clear skies, tropical waters, and sunlit horizons. It is perhaps no coincidence that the optimistic spirit of the 1960s embraced it so wholeheartedly.
This striking necklace by Åke Strömdahl places turquoise at the center of the composition. The vivid cabochons are beautifully contrasted by luminous seed pearls and warm 18 karat gold, creating a palette that feels both fresh and sophisticated. The combination has an effortless glamour that remains remarkably relevant today. As contemporary collectors increasingly gravitate toward bold color and distinctive mid-century design, turquoise jewelry has enjoyed a well-deserved renaissance.
Part of turquoise’s enduring appeal lies in its natural matrix, the delicate webbing and veining created over millions of years as minerals formed within the host rock. Like brushstrokes across a canvas or rivers traced across a landscape, these natural patterns ensure that no two stones are ever exactly alike. Here, the matrix introduces an additional layer of artistry and drama, bringing movement, texture, and individuality to the composition while highlighting the gemstone’s organic origins.
The necklace itself is quintessentially 1960s in its form. Bold without being heavy, sculptural without sacrificing elegance, it sits close to the neck in a confident architectural curve. The gradual width and rhythmic arrangement of gemstones create a sense of movement and balance, demonstrating the Scandinavian talent for combining restraint with visual impact.
Executed in 18 karat gold with approx. 131ctv turquoise cabochons and 72 seed pearls.
Signed Åke Strömdahl, stamped HS, Strömdahl, K9 for 1960, 18k, Stockholm and Sweden control.
Inner diameter:
4.72 in / 12.0 cm
Circumference 37cm
Width:
0.39–0.59 in / 1.0–1.5 cm
Weight:
60 grams
The Strömdahl name occupies an important place in Swedish jewelry history. Hugo Strömdahl founded the firm in the early twentieth century and became known for exceptional craftsmanship and refined Scandinavian design. His work embodied the principles that would come to define Swedish jewelry: elegant proportions, technical excellence, and an understated confidence. The family firm continues today, carrying forward a tradition that has spanned generations.
A beautifully preserved example of Scandinavian modernism, where exceptional color, sculptural form, and impeccable craftsmanship meet in perfect balance.
