“Flawed but perfect” raved Vogue of Verdura’s creations in December 1940, hailing the jeweler’s “beautiful polished pebbles, fished from the bottom of the sea and caught in a net of gold.” Preferring the wider palette range offered by semi-precious stones, Verdura set vibrant hued “pebbles” in rich yellow gold, often with rope detailing reminiscent of his youth in Sicily.

• Amethyst and 18k gold