Ancient Turquoise Beads with Granulated 20k Gold Spacer Beads and Handmade Clasp

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Ancient Turquoise Beads with Granulated 20k Gold Spacer Beads and Handmade Clasp

About the Item

One hundred seventy-five ancient turquoise beads spaced with eighty-two granulated 20k gold ring beads. There are forty-one turquoise cylinder and flattened cylinder shaped beads and one hundred thirty four small disc beads. The beads graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The center bead is 5.2 mm in length, 5 mm in width and 3 mm in thickness. The drill hole is 1 mm – 2 mm in length and is 1 mm in diameter. The smallest cylinder beads at the back are 3.5 mm in length and 2.9 mm in width. The small discs are 3 mm in diameter at the front and 2 mm at the back of the necklace. The beads have been sorted by color so that the discs (which are a darker green color) contrast with the lighter pale blue-green color of the cylinder beads. Each of these is faced with a gold spacer bead which separates the modules of three discs from the cylinder shaped beads. The 20k gold spacers are composed of six granules that have been fused together in a ring using the technique that was invented in the Bronze Age and then lost. The granulation technique was rediscovered in modern times so that now we can make gold beads that are not out of time and place for stringing with 4,000 year old stone beads. Turquoise is a soft stone and it was utilized early on for bead making as it can be shaped and drilled using flint drill bits and bow drills. But this also means that over time the stone can absorb body oils and also react with alkaline soils when it is buried in the ground. The one bead of very bright blue towards the back on the right is some indication of what the original color might have been. Although the colors of most of these beads have faded and changed with time, subtle color differences can be accentuated by sorting and grouping to create patterns that can be further emphasized by the use of gold. In this way the ancient beads can be given a new incarnation in the present time that is an acknowledgment of their ancient origins. The beads were manufactured in the Bronze Age approximately four thousand years ago. The necklace is finished with a 20k gold hand made hook and eye clasp. The necklace is 21 3/8 inches (54.3 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 15.5 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Turquoise
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
15.5 g
Dimensions:
Length: 21.38 in (543 mm)
Style:
Artist
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Unknown
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. All stone beads used in this piece are ancient. The goldwork is modern and was done by our expert goldsmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425218221672