Best of 2014: tassel necklaces

By Åse Anderson

TV drama Downton Abbey and last year's blockbuster remake of The Great Gatsby have helped to catapult jewels inspired by the Roaring Twenties into the spotlight. And while tassel jewellery has been on our radar for a while, in 2014 some of the world's most prestigious houses took the trend even further into the realms of high-end luxury. Evoking the glamour and glitz of the 1920s, these one-of-a-kind high jewellery tassel necklaces are the pinnacle of opulence.

Resplendent in radiant light blue, the Chanel tassel necklace from the new Café Society high jewellery collection is a welcome antidote to the dreary grey winter weather, featuring a cascade of aquamarine beads combined with diamonds and black spinel.

Boucheron's Fleur des Indes high jewellery collection is an ode to the historic ties between the French maison and the Maharajas. The coloured pools in the grounds of India's ancient palaces inspired this amazing diamond tassel Boucheron necklace featuring a 188.79 carat Colombian emerald from the 17th century that has never been recut and retains the original flower carving.

The maison's iconic feline mascot makes an appearance in this sensual Cartier necklace, from the new Panthère de Cartier collection, with his twinkling emerald eyes guarding the diamond and white gold tassel that spills out beneath him.

In a more intense indigo hue, the Chaumet high jewellery necklace boasts a rhapsody of gems, from tanzanite and sapphires to lapis lazuli and black spinel, while the Louis Vuitton Emprise necklace is the epitome of understated glamour, with a square-shaped amethyst inspired by the French luxury house's monogrammed trunks.

Graff unveiled a truly exceptional tassel necklace this year comprised of hundreds of carats of diamonds and emeralds, centred around a 10.03 carat Colombian emerald. And pearls - that quintessential 1920s gem - made an appearance too, in Bogh-Art's exquisite natural saltwater pearl, seed pearl and pink diamond necklace and Chanel's dramatic Perles de Nuit necklace, with a string of oversized Tahitian pearls leading downwards to two playful tassels.

With a firm nod to the cool elegance of the 1920s, these luxurious tassel necklaces are the perfect way to embrace your inner free-spirited Flapper.

Boucheron Fleur des Indes tassel necklace set with a 188.79ct Moghul emerald dating from the 17th century and originating from Colombia.
Cartier Panthère de Cartier tassel necklace in white gold and diamonds with black lacquer, emeralds and onyx.
Chaumet Lumières d’Eau high jewellery necklace in white gold with a 45.64ct troidia-cut tanzanite, three cushion-cut sapphires, sapphires, sapphire beads, lapis lazuli beads and black spinel beads.
One-of-a-kind Louis Vuitton Emprise tassel necklace with a 50-60ct amethyst, complemented by an aquamarine.
Piaget Extremely Piaget tassel necklace with a central emerald, diamonds, carved emeralds and sapphire beads.
Boghossian tassel necklace featuring a 5.00ct pink diamond inlaid into mother-of-pearl, a necklace of natural saltwater pearls and briolette-cut pink diamonds with seed pearls on the tassels.
Chanel Perles de Nuit necklace in white gold, from the Perles de Chanel collection, set with brilliant-, cushion-, pear- and oval-cut diamonds, 47 Tahitian cultured pearls and 1,362 Japanese cultured pearls.
Graff emerald and diamond tassel necklace featuring a 10.03ct cushion-cut Colombian emerald.
Chanel Café Society Cruise necklace set with a 28.30ct brilliant-cut aquamarine, diamonds, aquamarine beads and black spinels.