Ancient Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Necklace with 18 Carat Clasp

Bactrian culture spread across a wide area of modern-day Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and reached its zenith between 2100 and 1700 B.C. It produced many unique and distinctive objects and jewellery. This Bactrian necklace...

The length of the necklace is 17.5 inches (44.5 cm). The size of the smooth round beads is 21-22 mm. The lapis lazuli beads are indigo, a midnight tone. Lapis lazuli has visible calcite and golden pyrite flecks. It is a natural color, not dyed. The beads are very old. Each bead was cut and polished by hand, and even holes in the beads were drilled by hand. Therefore, each bead is not ideal but perfect at the same time. Since the lapis lazuli in this necklace are very old, then some beads could have small cracks or inclusions that only real lapis lazuli could have. This necklace alternates 3mm tiny vintage seed glass Czech beads. The necklace is fastened with a rare, unique sterling silver clasp with natural druzy agate cabochon. The weight of the necklace is 305 grams. Lapis lazuli is a rock, which means it's an aggregate of several minerals. This ancient gem contains three minerals in varying amounts: lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. The Sumerians believed that the spirit of their gods lived within the stone, while the ancient Egyptians saw it as a symbol of the night sky. Since the earliest of times, lapis lazuli has been associated with royalty, strength and courage, wisdom and intellect, friendship and truth. In natural stone jewelry...

The length of the necklace is 18.5 inches (47 cm). The size of the smooth round beads is 14 mm. The lapis lazuli beads are indigo, midnight tone, and highly saturated. Lapis lazuli has visible calcite and golden pyrite flecks. Natural color, not dyed. No thermal or other mechanical treatments were used. This necklace alternates 2mm tiny vintage seed glass Czech beads. The necklace is fastened with a rare, unique vintage sterling silver clasp with scarab cabochon. The scarab is an ancient symbol of vitality and new life. It was buried in the tombs of ancient Egyptians to insure they would have a new heart in the next life. It has always been a fortuitous symbol to wear and has roots in many ancient cultures. This particular specimen is a vintage German glass dating from the 1920-40 Egyptian craze that started around the unearthing of the first Egyptian tombs. The lines on the scarab are very clearly incised, and the shape of the beetle is clearly defined. The cabochon is 14 mm by 16 mm and is set in a sterling silver box clasp. The weight of the necklace is 126.5 grams. Lapis lazuli is a rock, which means it's an aggregate of several minerals. This ancient gem contains three minerals in varying amounts: lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. The Sumerians believed that the spirit of their gods lived within the stone, while the ancient Egyptians saw it as a symbol of the night sky. Since the earliest of times, lapis lazuli has been associated with royalty, strength and courage, wisdom and intellect, friendship and truth. In natural stone jewelry...