Some evenings begin with the jewellery.
Before the silk, before the shoes, before deciding how to wear your hair, there is the piece you have been waiting to take out. This signed 1980s Monet choker has that particular power over a wardrobe: three luminous rows of faux pearls, richly ornamented gold-tone plaques and cabochons in the colours of a royal jewel box.
It invites a little ceremony into getting dressed.
 
Signed by the legendary MONET, this magnificent 1980s couture choker is an archival masterpiece that bridges the theatrical grandeur of old-world royal courts with modern, uncompromising editorial style. Evoking the rich, saturated palette of traditional Mogul treasures and the legendary Gripoix-styled imitation pearl aesthetic popularized by 1980s Paris runways, this piece is an emotional investment for the discerning collector who views jewelry not as an accessory, but as a wearable vault asset.
 
The composition is wonderfully assured. Three strands of rounded white faux pearls encircle the neck, their closely repeated forms creating a broad, lustrous collar. Across the front, the strands open into gentle, graduated curves, held in place by three decorative plaques. There is a beautiful balance between the softness of the pearls and the structure of the metalwork; each gives the other greater presence.
 
At the centre sits an elongated, softly rounded gold-tone plaque, carrying three polished cabochons in a vertical arrangement. A deep green with a pronounced teal cast crowns the design; a larger ruby-red cabochon glows at its heart; a saturated sapphire-blue finishes the composition below. These are jewel colours at their most expressive - rich, concentrated and beautifully distinct against the pearly white.
 
The red gives the necklace its warmth and drama. The blue brings an almost electric depth. The green introduces a cooler, quieter note, completing a palette that feels opulent without becoming restless. Their smooth, domed surfaces gather light in rounded highlights, giving the Gripoix-style cabochons a luscious, almost liquid appearance.
 
Around them, the gold-tone surface is alive with detail. Interlacing, ribbon-like patterns travel across the plaque between raised circular bosses, each framed by concentric rings. Fine texturing fills the spaces between, creating a richly worked background for the smooth cabochons. The pleasure is in the contrast: glossy colour, intricate ornament and the soft, repeated glow of pearls.
 
Two smaller arched plaques sit symmetrically to either side, each centred with another ruby-red cabochon. Their curved outlines and little recessed openings beneath allow the pearl strands to continue through the composition with a lovely sense of flow. They echo the ornament of the centrepiece, carrying its richness around the neckline.
 
Together, the sumptuous palette and ornamental plaques suggest the splendour of Mughal-inspired costume jewellery, expressed through the bold, polished glamour of the 1980s.
 
Even the reverse has something to offer the attentive collector. The central plaque carries a radiating textured pattern and the Monet signature within an oval cartouche. Separate attachment points accommodate each pearl strand, while gold-tone end bars gather the three rows neatly towards the fastening. These details give the necklace a satisfying sense of completeness when it is lifted, turned over and examined in the hand.
 
On the neck, its character becomes unmistakable.
There is an unmistakably Chanel-esque, supermodel mood to it: abundant pearls, emphatic gold tones, saturated colour and the confidence to make jewellery central to an outfit. That spirit feels entirely at home in a modern wardrobe.
 
Wear it with an ivory buttoned blazer, its neckline open enough to reveal all three strands. Let the clean tailoring frame the ornament, with hair tucked back and a warm, understated lip. For an evening invitation, imagine midnight-blue silk, bare shoulders and the red cabochons catching the light across a dinner table. Against a deep emerald sari with a simple blouse, the pearls would bring luminosity while the gold-tone plaques echo the richness of the fabric.
 
For a more unexpected daytime interpretation, pair it with an open white cotton shirt, dark denim and a beautifully cut coat. The choker brings intention to familiar clothes - the sense that every piece has been chosen by someone who knows what she likes.
 
And for the full runway mood, introduce a long pearl sautoir or a complementary Gripoix-style necklace below it. Keep the colours connected and allow space between the short collar and the longer strand. The result is that glorious, expansive approach to dressing in which jewellery becomes an expression of personality.
 
Acquisition & Investment
Pieces bearing the verified Monet signature with this level of intricate Mogul-Gripoix styling are exceedingly rare. Securing this piece for your private vault is a testament to impeccable taste, ensuring an heirloom-grade treasure that transcends fleeting trends.
 
Era: 1980s
Design: Gripoix Moghul 
MONET (signed)
Finish: Triple gold plated gilt metal, imitation pearls and Gripoix glass cabochon
Condition: Excellent! No damage or defect. Please see close up videos for quality assurance.
Approximate dimensions: 32 cm long; extra 8 cm long chain at end for flexible wearing or larger neck. 
Sourced from Bulgaria, Europe.