Lapis lazuli - Silver - Necklace - circa 1960

Extraordinary, heavy ethnographic necklace, handmade in the traditional metalworking of Central Asia, mid-20th century.
The necklace consists of alternating rondelle beads of natural lapis lazuli in vivid royal blue — with characteristic gold-colored pyrite inclusions and whitish calcite veining — as well as ornately decorated bi-conical metal beads in a silvery color. The metal beads display fine filigree work. The metal is likely alpaca/nickel silver or a silver alloy of lower fineness; no metal assay was conducted.
Era
Vintage, ca. 1960–1980
Weight
97 g
Clasp
Original clasp (ring–loop)
Condition
Good condition with age-appropriate patina and normal signs of use.
A decorative and rare collectible for lovers of ethnical and vintage jewelry of Central Asian folk art.