Featured Gemstone ID help: Chrysoprase or glass beads?

Hi everyone,

I need some help determining if these beads could be made of chrysoprase, glass, or something else. They are cool to the touch and a little heavy. The smaller beads are slightly translucent, but the bigger beads are not. The holes appear to be uniform in shape and size. If anyone has any tips for deciphering glass beads from gemstones that would be very helpful!

Thanks

 

I'd say the odds are good they're glass. They could also be "candy" something, aka Random Dyed Rock. I'd need to get a loupe on them to be sure.

 

Love the beads, MT. That clasp is used a lot on recent Chinese necklaces, so my guess is green agate (dyed).

 

There is no way to be sure unless you have someone with a gem tester check them. Photos on the internet can not make a determination.

 

Thanks So is green agate a popular stone used in Chinese jewelry?

 

Ok thanks. I will look into this.

 

It is, in recent jewellery.

 

You have been given good advise and possibilities. The bottom line is a jeweler with a gem tester can tell you the family and maybe even the stone. What is also important in testing would be hardness, thus eliminating the softer greens and harder depending on the number it comes in at. A physical inspection from a jeweler will also help eliminate some of the possibilities or see characteristics that are conducive of what you have. They are pretty in any event and have probably been restrung if vintage.

 

That design is never anything but modern Chinese as far as I know. That shape bead started showing up here about 10 years ago out of China.