Sterling Amber Planarte Pendant Fish Necklace

Offered is a most interesting sterling amber Planarte pendant. In the shape of a fish, the pendant is stamped 925 and with the hallmark as shown.  It measures 1 1/4″ x 1″ with a round amber disk mounted in bezel on the back.  Finely crafted, the frame is 3/16″ thick.  There is a tiny fossilized insect visible in this portion when held to the light.  The 18″ silver chain (925 Italy) is not original to the piece, but included in this listing as well.

Since no information was found for Planarte as a maker’s name or brand, the origins of the jewelry piece was determined by research involving other areas.  It was found that there was a program for economic development of the area of Puerto Plata in the country of the Dominican Republic.  The Planarte program sponsored a facility to teach local citizens the art of jewelry making, which was run by a German named Heinz Meder.  Exact dates of this program were not found, but other historical data suggests origins in the late 1970s early 1980s. Research does not indicate this program still exists, and Mr. Meder is  reportedly deceased.

There are amber mines in the country noted for its higher than ordinary  number of fossil inclusions.  1987 a law was passed stating that no amber pieces that had insects in them would be permitted to leave the country without the permission of the National Museum of Natural History.

Based on the above highlighted  information, it is inferred that the origin is indeed from the Dominican Republic in the associated time frame.  The jewelry offered here has no condition issues.