Featured Two necklace mysteries- can you tell what these materials are?

I found a yard sale where the lady was obviously into beading. She re-beaded older beads, but some she didn't get to. The first necklace appears to have a new clasp she put on, but the string is a wire chain, and the necklace appears to be original but for the clasp. What are these beads?




The second necklace I really love. Could it be a type of lucite or plastic made to look like amber? It seems to have dried out, and would there be a way to restore that? It is strung on black knotted thread.




The second necklace is very light, the first necklace is heavy. Thanks.

 

Absolutely love the first one. It looks Middle Eastern with cherry bakelite. Possibly North African with Arab/Moorish influence.
Did you do a bakelite test?
I agree the clasp is a replacement, it probably had a hook clasp.

 

I never have done a bakelite test. I am going to Walmart and see if they have Simichrome. I was at the yard sale about 9:30ish, and the lady had a huge basket of jewelry. I paid $20 for at least 25-30 pounds of jewelry. Most modern, some broken/missing stones, but there was a pile of modern sterling rings and some older pieces like these that made the quick grab worthwhile.

 

A treasure trove, nice!

 

Check out 'cherry amber bakelite' for clues about the first one. The second looks really interesting, same material in 3 different colors & lightweight. Hmmm. The lightness & translucency are probably clues, for those who know early plastics.

 

Thanks. I also hit a dollar jewelry table at a barn sale. I will be posting pictures on the finds thread.

 

I love the colors and shapes in the second necklace.

 

Me too. Probably very gem-like originally. Don't know any way to permanently restore luster. When it comes to shell cameos that have become dulled, some people like to oil them; can't see that as the solution here. My only thought would be the mild formulation of a jewellery cleaning dip that also leaves a thin coating of something or other. Coating stays after rinsing off the liquid, unless your really wash it off & seems to just fill in little surface scratches enough to brighten things up if that's the cause of dullness. I assume coating wears off after a bit if piece actively worn.

The one I have around is Connoisseurs Jewelry Cleaner, delicate formula, supposed to be safe for pearls, opals & costume jewellery. Not an endorsement over any other product, just the one I know. Have had no bad experiences with it & have dunked more than one shell cameo in it.

 

I have the pearl dip, haven't tried it yet on anything. Hmmmm.....

 

Before I read anything else, if it is strung on old very fine link chain, I would replace that before wearing.

I have a story. It involves:

1. glass beaded necklace with all manner of lovely tiny spacers and findings
2. old very fine link chain
3. me, wearing said necklace
   
4. a gravel parking lot

I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story.

 

I've had experience with that as well. Definitely don't wear, especially if the chain is fairly short.

 

I call those necklaces 52-pickup necklaces. Take cotton cord or rotten chain. Give it a dirty look. Pick up all 52+ beads rolling around on the floor/ground. Or try to.

 

Lol!

 

And I crawled around in that gravel for long enough to thoroughly hack off everyone who was waiting on me. Didn't care.

Didn't find all of the seed beads, wasn't thrilled with the "professional" restring, but I still wear it.

 

It is lovely. Reminds me of 18th century paintings. Don't know why, funny mind maybe.

 

Jivvy, those are beautiful beads, but in my opinion, they need less ornamentation because the beads themselves are exquisite. I would remove the rhinestone rondelles and gold caps. I would use pearls as buffers between the beads and use a few on the clasp string. Then the beads would really stand out. Just my opinion. It is gorgeous as is, but my taste leans towards the less ornate.

 

Not my kind of necklace. Definitely a resale item. I am not a necklace person and wear very few.

 

oh no, I like the original stringer's vision.

The re-stringer made some goofball mistakes (I mean, if you don't have enough of a particular piece (seed bead, cap, etc), put the "missing" ones in the back), but nothing was added.

 

Brava/bravo!