Featured Scarab Necklace and Faceted Blue-Pink Glass Necklace (Saphiret?))

I have had those exact scarab beads, but in a much simpler silver-tone setting. Pretty much what @Any Jewelry said is exactly what I was told -- fun souvenir jewelry (though mine was identified a decade or two earlier, but again -- very different setting).

 

Well now you have me looking at sold listings for Saphirets... got the Saphiret bug again.

And just after I said that the only beaded necklaces with older Saphirets I've seen have been on rosaries, here is one that was just a necklace. In fairness, the seller goes on to say that in 34 years of being in the antique business, it was the first they had seen.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Art-D...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Also, got thinking about the likelihood of finding one these days. I think in general they are more common in Europe and the UK. Basing this on the origin of many of the auctions.

 

Wow, the necklace is cool and does look old to me. Do people really pay that kind of price?

When I searched eBay recently, it did seem like there were fewer saphiret items than I remembered previously.

 

When I searched eBay recently, it did seem like there were fewer saphiret items than I remembered previously.

Make sure when you search, if you are just searching "Saphiret", that Ebay doesn't auto-change the category it shows. You want: "All categories". Sometimes I've had Ebay limit the search to "Jewelry: Victorian/Edwardian" when I searched "Saphiret" without me noticing the search category was changed.

As far as price, this may have been the top price for a Saphiret piece recently -- the number of beads, length, rarity, etc. all coming into play. Almost certainly went to Japan. Collectors in Japan drive these prices to where they are. There was a damaged 3 saphiret stick pin that sold for just $25 last week, so some lower amounts, too.

 

I used to do this back in the 70s and 80s. Looking for opalescent glass beads to restring. Also found onyx beads, milk glass beads, but mostly clam broth glass.

BEWARE - Test all "faux" pearls with the tooth test before immersing in acetone. I put a strand in one time, came back the next morning to find only the string left. Apparently one of the strands was real. Live and learn.

 

Good point. I wish eBay didn't do that.

I've mostly been using a site called "PicClick" to research eBay listings which works around that problem. I find it more to my taste than searching directly on eBay.

 

Yikes, that must have been disappointing!

 

You will. And you can even invest another euro in an old brass chain.

 

Barn mentioned euros, so I think he is in Germany at the moment. He lived there before.
The King Tut exhibit toured Europe as well, but European tourists have been taking this kind of jewellery home with them for a long time. Egypt is pretty close to Europe, and a favourite holiday destination.

 

The setting on that brass necklace and the shape of the frames is classic Czech between the wars. I've lots of them. I think it's of that period - Carter and all that. I've certainly seen stuff that age with ceramic scarabs.

I reckon the faceted ones are cut moonstones.

Ah, saphiret. I bought one stick pin thinking it might be, but I think it's butterfly wing.

 

Yes! I'm back in Germany until next August. Hopefully longer.

 

Yes trying to pin down the age of the scarab necklace, thank for your help.

 

Butterfly wing? :O As in literally?

 

Yes, I agree - items from the exhibit will normally be signed MMA (Date) © in miscellaneous order.

 

Yep. Actual butterfly wings.

 

Indeed. They were mostly made in Brazil, then imported into the UK. You get pictures made of them as well.

 

Here are some Egyptian made scarabs, they call it faience, probably after ancient Egyptian faience. What is in a name. The Egyptians make different qualities and coulours, but these come close to your scarabs.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/257940...-hand-made-carved-luck?ref=shop_home_active_2
According to the listing the scarabs have a glazed look. Maybe they didn't like their picture being taken.
They also sell jewellery.

This is one of my Egyptian bracelets, it has the same Ottoman style quatrefoil links as your scarab necklace.


I have seen similar ones listed as Czech (with 'Czech glass' beads), which can lead to confusion in determining the origin. But this one was made in Egypt, ca 1930, using Egyptian made clay beads and Ottoman style gilt brass links and filigree. The original owner bought it in Egypt.

A closeup of the filigree clasp, with side views of the clay beads:

 

That sort of clasp turns up all over the Middle East and east Asia. I don't think the Israelis use it, but the Turks and Persians did.

 

Looking at your bracelet, I just realized that I have a similar set of clip earrings. I found a similar pair that said they were circa 1940s, which is what I listed them as. Would you say they're older than I thought?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/598823890/vintage-etruscan-revival-gold-gilt-coral?ref=related-6

 

Maybe by a couple of years. According to my information, clips were introduced in 1931. They wouldn't have been used in Egypt straight away.
Lovely earrings. They are not Etruscan Revival, btw.