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I purchased a necklace today from my local thrift. It’s got three strands of fairly even in shape and color beads. Can anyone tell what type of beads these are? They are cool to the touch and very small. The clasp is marked “silver” and nothing else.

 

If they are cold to touch, I would say coral..

 

I guessed so too but I wasn’t sure someone would make tiny beads out of coral?

 

angel skin coral beads , perhaps !!!

 

I had to look up angel skin. I’ve never heard of it but definitely seen them (or plastic masquerading) before. I grew up thinking coral was red or white and that’s it.

 

They want to look like coral, but my suspicion is they are helmet shell. See photos here, particularly the beads around the middle of the page:

https://cameotimes.com/index.php/reference/materials-guide?start=1

'Angel skin' is a color, not its own type of coral, & which shades qualify is highly subjective. Would need very clear closeups of a few beads to know exactly what these are.

 

The clasp is Chinese.

 

How can we tell?

 

Chinese in a good way. Older Chinese export.

Chinese export necklace clasps are sort of a gilded silver mesh, often stamped "Silver". If you Ebay search "Chinese export necklace" you will see similar clasps.

Usually means a nicer vintage necklace.

I think this is a great piece. Fantastic thrift find.

 

I looked on eBay. I see what you mean, not bad for a $4 purchase shell or coral.

 

or make tiny beads out of shell.......

 

It does help if the size of the beads are posted,but 2.5-3mm coral beads are not unusual ........... https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h204397nb

 

Here is about as close as I can get them

 

Ah! At that distance they look like coral. Congratulations!

 

I take it that’s good? I wonder what time frame? The things I’ve looked at online show me bigger beads but similarity in clasp style.

 

Oh yeah, coral is good. Not sure of time frame. I am curious, what is the length?

 

@Marko it’s about 18 inches from clasp to end and 8 inches when closed.