This incredibly finely crafted pendant is made by the Italian jeweller Michele della Valle from gold, coral, tsavorite and diamond.

The apple is carved from rich orange-red coral - the highest rated colour. The leaf of the apple is made of eighteen carat gold and set with round-cut tsavorite and brilliant-cut diamonds. Tsavorite is a green garnet variety that can range in colour from grass green to emerald green. This leaf is set with different shades of green which gives a magnificent effect. The diamonds are bright and lively.

Michele Della Valle

Michele della Valle, who was born in Rome, began designing jewellery at the age of 16. During a trip to Burma in 1976, della Valle purchased his first gemstone and on the advice of friends, he showed it to Roger Varenne, the legendary stone dealer, who suggested that he take the gem to Christie's. His meeting with Hans Nadelhoffer, who was running the jewellery department at the time, was the motivating factor which contributed to the significant development of della Valle's career as a precious stone dealer and jewellery designer. In 1978, della Valle opened his own workshop in Rome's Piazza di Spagna.

The pendant is signed MdV for Michele della Valle and comes in its own suede pouch stamped Michele della Valle.