Circa 1980 Lapis Lazuli & Gold Bead Necklace

Dating to circa 1980, this 30-inch necklace features 56 round lapis lazuli beads totaling approximately 630 carats. The richly saturated blue beads display the natural variations characteristic of lapis, including scattered flecks of golden pyrite that flicker across their surfaces.

Seven fluted 14KT yellow gold beads are spaced throughout the strand. Each lapis bead is individually knotted, adding both flexibility and protection to the substantial strand.

The beauty of lapis lazuli has never depended upon transparency or faceting. Its appeal comes from color and from the character of the stone itself. The tiny metallic inclusions visible here are pyrite, a natural component frequently found in lapis lazuli. Against the intense blue, those golden flecks also create a particularly satisfying connection to the necklace's yellow gold beads.

Appraised Value:  $4,500