Mathilde Loisel is a woman of the middle class living in Paris during the 19th century. She has everything she needs in life but is still discontent with how she lives. She wants more in a situation where she really has everything already.
One day her loving husband returns from work with exciting news, they have been invited to a ball by the minister of education. But instead of a joyous reaction as her husband had expected, she grew angry with this information. As she believed, Mathilde had nothing to wear to the ball and wouldn't go because of it. Luckily her husband had the money for a new dress, he would just be giving up his savings for it.
Mathilde still wasn't content, however, and wanted jewelry, something her husband couldn't afford at the time, so she visited her friend for help. The request was simple as Madame Forestier was of high class and had plenty of jewelry to share. Mathilde searched for a long time until she found the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen, full of diamonds that shined so bright you would think they glew.
Mathilde had everything she needed for the ball and was excited to go. When she got there she became the star of the show, and she knew it. Everyone wanted to speak to her, even the minister of education himself, and she grew more content as the night passed. But the night had to send and late that night she would travel back home with her husband.
But soon after their arrival, Mathilde noticed something terrible; the necklace was missing. For hours they searched but could find nothing, they resorted to calling the police for help but even that was to no avail. Both Loisels realized what must be done and decided to purchase a replacement necklace, one so costly it would set them back years in debt. But it had to be done.