Vintage Bill Smith for Richelieu Statement Necklace Late 1960s

❤️Vintage “Bill Smith for Richelieu” Statement Necklace – Late 1960s to Early 1970s Rare Designer Collector’s Piece | Bold African-Inspired Aesthetic 💎 Stunning vintage designer necklace by legendary African-American jeweler Bill Smith, created in collaboration with Richelieu during his tenure as VP (1968–1973). A powerful, sculptural design featuring chunky cabochons that mimic natural stones — coral, malachite, onyx, and rose quartz — set in matte gold-tone metal and finished with thick twisted fabric cords in ivory. 📍 Marked: Bill Smith for Richelieu Additional markings: “KIM” stamped on all six silver-tone end caps. 🖼 Dimensions: – Full length: 46.5 cm – Wearable length with larger ring: approx. 37 cm – Width of central oval piece: 3 cm ✨ Materials: – Matte gold-tone metal – Colored glass-like plastic cabochons – Fabric cords – Central amethyst-like cabochon: likely glass 🧵 Condition: Excellent vintage. Some minor age-related wear and faint verdigris on cords from metal contact (see photos) — overall still looks organic and beautiful. 🎨 About the Designer: Bill Smith (b. 1936, Madison, Indiana) studied art and dance at Indiana University before moving to New York. He opened his own jewelry studio in 1958 and went on to work with Cartier, Mark Cross, and Albert Nipon. In 1968, he became Vice President of Richelieu and made history as the first African-American to receive the Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award in 1970 for his innovative jewelry designs.