Graduated-Disk Necklace: MOP Maybe, but Maybe Not

OA length ~16½", ~1.3 oz. The largest disks are ~.110" thick, ~.415" diameter; the smallest are ~.090" thick, ~.160" diameter. There are ~160 of them. They're strung on a monofilament; the 4 metal beads don't appear to be silver.

As much as their initial appearance is of MOP, under a loupe the texture is quite coarse, and has a micro-crystalline sheen. They're gritty on my teeth, coarser than pearls. I think they may be some kind of shell, perhaps freshwater, but don't know enough to differentiate them from MOP, which I associate with a much smoother, finer surface when worked in this manner.

The barrel clasp seems to be older, but I've no good basis for that.

Whatever opinions and observations y'all may offer will be most gratefully acknowledged...Thanks!

 

Knee jerk was puka shell necklace. Very popular in the 70s.

 

It looks a little too uniform to be puka. A true puka shell will be flatter on one side a kinda hollow on the other. If the disks are flat on both sides it might be a faux puka necklace.

 

They look like bone from here, but Johnny nailed the clasp. Those barrels were in common use in the 70s to early 80s. Annoyed the heck out of me and still do, those clasps.

 

Yup...dead flat both surfaces. So...if faux puka, what are they made of? Ceramic seems closer than shell, on reflection.

 

Yeah, but they're too hard for bone, I think.

I'm gonna drop 'em inna ultrasonic, hoping to get the soil off of them. I realize there's some risk in that approach, but I've got nothing to lose, really. Pics of whatever survives will show here!

 

I have a similar necklace, and I call it faux puka. I am not sure what it is made of but it is certainly organic. Maybe she’ll, or tagua nut? Sorry I can’t be of more help.

 

Yeas not puka shells but something natural more uniform in size.

 

Coral? I always thought these were a type of coral.

 

These being puka...or ?

 

Yes, the disks. For reference only, not my auction:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363834890944?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-
Hmmmm....checking prices on ebay for Puka shell necklaces, I guess I need to start picking them up....nobody here does.
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Well, they're our of the ultrasonic...double rinsed an' drying. Now they are stark white! Pics inna AM...

I'm now thinking they may very well be some kind of white coral...that would explain the semi-crystalline look, and the almost granular texture. I wonder what UV will do...

 

Marko, the word 'coral' in those listings refers to the dyed sponge coral tube beads, not to the white discs.

 

The word 'heishi' is coming to mind.

 

That seems just right. I usually associate it with tubular silver...but several dictionaries confirm the accuracy of your comment. Thank you, Bronwen!