Turquoise and sterling silver necklace

So I bought this turquoise necklace for $1. I thought the clasp might be sterling, which I think it is, after using a sunshine cloth, I see a tiny 925 on the lobster claw. I thought it was odd that just one strand had the lobster claw clasp. Maybe added later? Or is this a modern version. I love to look at vintage and antique jewelry, although I don't wear much jewelry myself.

 

I clicked Full Image, so I'm not sure why they aren't showing up as such.

 

One of the strands must have broken and someone fixed it by adding the lobster claw clasp. The clasp is sterling, but since it's a replacement, without testing, you can not assume the other parts are.

 

That makes sense. Thank you. The other parts shine up nicely.

 

Maybe they are silver but other metals shine up nicely also

 

I think the other bits are silver too. The stones are real stone and the crystal beads are real glass. I think there's a maker's mark buried on the round part of the toggle. Just don't ask me whose. The turquoise looks like the modern dyed Chinese beads. Someone bought this at a craft show, odds on, for SILLY money and then the OP scored it for cheap later. Heck, that lobster claw would cost you $10 new! I've been known to buy mass-produced chains cheap, remove the clasp and scrap the rest.

 

How can you tell real turquoise from fake?

 

Experience mostly. I'm no expert on the assorted varieties of the real deal. This is the Chinese variety; I think it's been dyed, stabilized and otherwise messed about with. You might want to google Magnesite and Howlite. Both are used as substitutes but don't look... quite... like real turquoise. The Chinese especially have also been known to make reconstituted turquoise out of stone dust and glue. It's easier to mold or carve than the natural stone.

 

I don't think the lobster claw is a repair. The end holding it has been finished off like all the others & could just as easily have been attached to the toggle clasp. The only purpose I can think of is it would let you wear the necklace either with the strands interwoven or in separate strands of graduated lengths.

There's an end that needs to be tucked back in if the necklace is to be made wearable as is.

 

Thanks all!