Royal Lapis Lazuli Necklace

The necklace is 17 inches (43 cm) long, and the smooth round beads are 18 mm in size. Lapis lazuli is treasured the world over for its beautiful deep blue color. It is highly saturated and variously described as indigo, royal, midnight, or marine blue. Lapis lazuli has visible calcite and golden pyrite flecks. It is a natural color, not dyed. Bead knotting is traditionally done with silk thread. A knot is placed between each bead to prevent them from rubbing against each other. The necklace is fastened with a large, beautiful sterling silver clasp with a detailed porcelain vintage cameo clasp...

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...

One-of-a-Kind Spectacular Lapis lazuli necklace from the ancient mines of Afghanistan The plates are hand-polished in the modern way each measuring approximately 2’x1’ center a necklace of traditionally cut Lapis beads. Because of the luminous silvery-gray inclusions on the polished stones, faceted pyrite with its metallic luster serve as roundels. The clasp also has iridescent metallic overtones in a polished oval of Labradorite set...

These are very unusual beads....natural lapis lazuli shaped like a saucer or a roundel and then faceted along their edge, separated by small sterling silver beads to give them space....