When purchasing a pearl necklace, you're obviously focused on the pearls themselves, but the clasp is worth a second look. The quality of the metalwork and finish is a real indicator of the caliber of the rest of the piece.
A Storied Heritage
The figure-8 safety has a functional origin: heavier chain and gem-set bracelets created security demands that single-point hook closures didn't reliably meet, and the secondary lock emerged as a direct response to those demands rather than as a precautionary addition.
Stone Story
Natural diamonds get to the surface through violent volcanic eruptions via volcanic pipes. As the rock solidified, the diamonds stayed inside, and those pipes became the starting point for every major diamond mining operation.