How does Françoise Montague authenticate her vintage Chanel jewelry?

Each vintage Chanel piece included in the Maison Françoise Montague selection is inspected by our team at 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1st arrondissement. The inspection covers the signature on the back, period markings, original attachments, the condition of the gilding, the setting of the rhinestones, and the overall consistency of the piece with the Chanel codes of the identified decade. We document the exact condition, any patinas, and the markings.

What does the 'S' marking on the back of a vintage Chanel piece of jewelry mean?

The letter 'S' engraved or stamped on the back of certain Chanel jewelry pieces is an internal marking used by Maison Chanel to identify items that were sold through the second-line channel during their first life. Far from being a flaw, this marking is an authentic provenance trace: it indicates that the piece indeed came from Chanel's workshops and passed through their distribution network.

From what era is this vintage Chanel necklace?

This necklace belongs to Chanel's production from the 1980s. The diamond-shaped link pattern set with rhinestones, as well as the type of clasp and the weight of the metal, are characteristic markers of this period of Chanel design.

What is the length of this Chanel necklace?

The necklace measures 42 centimeters. This is called a midi length: it sits at the hollow of the neck, just below the collarbone. It perfectly complements an open neckline, a square or round neckline, and can be layered with a longer pendant necklace for a stacked look.

How to care for a vintage gold-plated Chanel necklace?

A vintage piece of jewelry is preserved. Remove your necklace before showering, bathing, exercising, and going to bed. Avoid any direct contact with perfume, cosmetics, and prolonged sweating. Store it in its original case, away from direct light and humidity. Our Parisian workshop handles common repairs excluding soldering, to keep the piece alive for several generations.

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Chanel Vintage Necklace, Rhinestones

Name: Chanel Vintage Necklace, Rhinestones
Brand: Françoise Montague
Price: 585.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

585 €

Condition

Fair condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

See details

Description

Features

Terms Guide

Delivery

Service and maintenance

Signed Chanel necklace, 1980, made of original gold-plated brass, with a diamond-shaped link pattern and rhinestones.

The House's Perspective

It adorns the neckline of an evening dress or a bustier. Françoise Montague has been creating her jewelry since 1945 and has been selecting vintage pieces since the boutique opened in 1998, at 231 rue Saint-Honoré.

Also discover

Vintage Chanel · The 1980s · Rhinestones

Place of origin: Chanel, piece signed on the back
Marking: Chanel signature and letter "S" on the back
Pattern: Diamond-shaped links
Length: 42 cm (midi length)
Weight: 83 g
Metal: Original gold-plated brass
Availability: Unique item in stock

Transparency is our priority. Each vintage jewelry piece is carefully inspected to ensure an accurate description of its history. Here is how we classify our second-hand items:

Excellent condition (Mint): A rare piece, nearly new. The gold plating is perfect and the crystals intact. Ideal for discerning collectors or as an exceptional gift.

Very good condition: The jewelry has been worn with care. It may show tiny micro-scratches invisible to the naked eye or a very slight natural patina, a sign of authenticity, without affecting its shine.

Good condition: A piece that embraces its history. Light signs of wear (fading of the gold plating on friction areas, small marks) are visible but add to the unique charm of the antique jewelry.

Fair condition: A treasure that has lived a lot. The wear is more pronounced or a small restoration may be needed. An opportunity to acquire a designer piece at a gentle price.

All our jewelry is sold cleaned and checked.

Delivery

Orders are prepared and shipped within 24 to 72 business hours. This timeframe may be extended during periods of high demand, such as holidays, trade shows, or inventory counts.

Shipments of pre-order items begin from the date specified on the product page. If your order includes two pre-order items, the package will be shipped once it is complete, based on the latest date. Delivery in Metropolitan France is provided by Colissimo 13H (24 hours after shipping, Monday to Friday), Colissimo (2-3 days), and internationally (5-6 days). Delivery in Metropolitan France is free for orders of €250 and above with Colissimo.

Product Returns

You have a 14-day period from receipt to return an item that does not meet your expectations. If your delivery was made in Metropolitan France, you can download a prepaid return label from your customer account. A fixed processing fee of €5 will be deducted from your refund.

For deliveries outside Metropolitan France, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.

Any questions?

Feel free to check our FAQ section and contact us by email at contact@francoisemontague.com or by phone at 01 42 60 80 16 from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Each purchase is placed in our sealed case with the House's wax seal. Tax refund in-store, DDP shipping to the United States and Gulf countries, including taxes and customs. In-store, you can try on the piece and discover models not available on the website.

Why offer vintage when we make our own jewelry?

At Françoise Montague, jewelry is a matter of the heart.

When Marion Stern took over Françoise Montague’s workshop in 1978, she dedicated 47 years to creating exceptional jewelry. But alongside that, she never stopped being a collector. Passionate about jewelry in all its forms, she hunts for vintage pieces, not out of commercial necessity, but out of love for fine craftsmanship.

In 1998, the opening of the boutique made it possible to share these finds with you. A carefully curated selection, where each piece – signed or not – was chosen for its character, story, and timelessness.

Even today, this spirit remains intact. We continue to design Montague jewelry with the same artisanal expertise while offering you carefully discovered vintage treasures. Two worlds that respond to each other, driven by the same passion.

Boucles d'Oreilles pendantes en strass colorées - Bijou fait à la main en France

Is it a gift? Let us know!

We carefully pack each piece in beautifully prepared boxes, ready to be placed in the hands of your loved ones.

Because a gift is also the emotion of waiting for it, discovering it, loving it. With us, every shipment is a small gesture, a promise of joy.