This back was then left uncovered, giving the piece an ''unfinished'' look. Beads and pearls were then wired by hand directly on to this base. Very early Haskell pieces had as backs metal plates that were pierced with small round holes at regular intervals (NOT mesh). This back plate is a very important element in identifying genuine Haskell pieces, and tracing its development is, fortunately, relatively easy. Nearly all Haskell pieces have at their heart a metal plate onto which the decorative elements are attached.

If claw or toggle clasp it is a modern piece.If hook, it must the the distinctive Haskell hook.If necklace has a slide clasp, it dates it to 1975-mid 1980''s.Modern necklaces now have toggle clasps and lobster clasps, in addition to box clasps and hooks. This clasp was discontiued in the mid eighties. In the late 70''s the decoration was dropped from the hook on less expensive necklaces, though it was still signed.Дuring the signed period box clasps were still used and were often elaborate and intended to be worn at the front or side of the necklace.ДЄ new clasp was introduced in 1975, the slide clasp, which was a flat oblong shape with the patent number 3,427,691 on one side and the Haskell signature in block capitals on the other. The hooks were signed ''MIRIAM HASKELL'' and were usually decorated, either with an eight-petal ''flower'' with pearls/beads as petals, or, more rarely, a dove or a turtle attached to the top of the hook. It consisted of a distinctive hook on one end and an extender on the other consisting of several pearls or beads. The other main clasp used was a very simple spring ring clasp but distinctive as it did not have the protruding prong (the ''thumb'' part).ДЄfter the war, during the signed period, Haskell introduced the hook and tail design to allow the necklace length to be varied. Early unsigned necklaces tend to have box clasps which were quite elaborate and decorated with pearls, beads or rhinestones, and either round, or oblong if the piece had multiple strands. Thus if you have a flat back piece it dates from c1980 to the present.Д¬lasps are an important element in identifying Haskell pieces. This tag was used until the late 1970''s, but it was then changed to a similar tag but without the stamping coming through to the reverse (''flat back''). This tag was usually attached to the back of the piece but was also used as a hangtag. The stamping came through to the other side, but indented and, of course, reversed. Then in the early 1950''s the tag was changed to an flat oval shape with ''MIRIAM HASKELL'' stamped on to it. This probably began in 1947/48 but was not put on all pieces. The first signature was a semicircular plaque (horseshoe) that was attached to the back of the piece. It was only in the 1940''s that a permanent signature was attached to protect the Haskell name from cheaper competition that imitated her style. At this time the company did not sign any of its pieces with a permanent tag, but only a paper one (black and gold).

Miriam Haskell set up her business in 1926 and soon afterwards took on Frank Hess as her chief designer.

Miriam haskell pearl necklace