Antique Jet Faceted Black Bead Necklace, Whitby Jet Necklace, Whitby Jet Jewelry, Victorian Jet Necklace, Victorian Mourning, Black Bakelite

Large oversized antique faceted black mystery material graduating bead single strand necklace:

~ Classic bakelite or jet look beads
~ Big bold showy chunky look
~ Victorian to Art Deco in era
~ Possible mourning jewelry piece given the stark true black coloring
~ Hidden twist bead or turn barrel clasp
~ It doesn't test to be bakelite as some, if not most, black pieces don't..... so I can't say for certain what the interesting mystery composition is for certain. If it isn't bakelite - then it could be a very close vintage relative such as just as desirable French bakelite, goliath, catalin, lucite or similar collectible vintage material. You can clearly see evidence of carving when viewing with 10x magnification. Simichrome does react - but does not turn the classic butterscotch shade we are familiar with or looking for - the pink cream when rubbed on these beads urns a darker pink to reddish shade. These may also be Whitby Jet as they are lightweight for their size, soft or warm to the touch, and shine like crazy. Your guess is as good as mine on this necklace

Ready and waiting for your neckline, collection, or gift giving - you will love this!

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES: x

AGE OR ERA: Authentic true antique / vintage beads - handmade in nature and lack of marks makes this very difficult to identify for certain. These could be anything from a Victorian mourning string of beads to Art Deco flapper in nature. So - roughly estimating 1880's to 1930's. Appear to have been restrung

MARKINGS: None that I could find

METAL / MATERIAL: Solid black faceted beads with a more modern restringing job on white cord

CLASP / CLOSURE: Hidden screw on turn barrel clasp set into matching beads

MEASUREMENTS: Layed out end to end, with clasp undone and necklace stretched out - the string measures about 26 3/4" in wearable length. With that being said - these antique beads have been restrung at some point and have a little wiggle room on the sting - 1/2" or so of play. The beads are graduated in size and the largest bead front and center is about just shy of 1 1/4" end to end and 1" in diameter. The smallest beads that form the clasp are aprox 1/3" long x the same wide

WEIGHT: 100 grams on my scale

TESTING: Outlined above - failed the traditional Simichrome and rub and smell tests for bakelite

U.S. RING SIZE: x

INVENTORY NUMBER OR NOTE: x

CONDITION = Great vintage condition - no damage found to mention. All beads intact and clasp in good working order. Small amount of slack in the restringing exposes the white thread as shown - 1/2" or so of wiggle room. In an excellent state of preservation

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

Please view & enlarge photographs to closely inspect fine details and to determine the amount of patina and/or wear. Most older pieces by nature normally have some degree of both and, unless severe, aren't considered damaged and not mentioned. Especially if obvious and/or prominent in the photos. Individuals do have varying levels of desire and tolerance for "vintage charm" so do utilize the scroll arrows beside the photos to allow yourself the opportunity to view them all, as they are an integral part and extension of the description.
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