Vintage Lapis Lazuli Necklace

The necklace is 19 inches (48 cm) long, and the smooth round beads are 18 -19 mm in size. Lapis lazuli is treasured the world over for its beautiful deep blue color. It is highly sat...

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...