Outlets Vintage Lapis & Pearl beaded necklace

♦ GEMSTONE STORY

Known and used widely since ancient times (perhaps as early as 6,000 BCE), lapis lazuli (or simply lapis) is still popular today. Beads, jewelry, and carvings have been found at numerous archaeological sites. This gemstone has been prized for its bright, blue color and used for inlay and intarsia as well as for pigments for cosmetics and paintings. Its contrast and eye appeal is irresistible. Today, jewelry is its predominant use. Lapis lazuli is frequently set in silver in modestly priced jewelry pieces. However, there is a growing trend to emulate the jewelers of earlier times and set fine-quality stones in gold, complementing diamonds or colored gems. Lapis is well-suited for men's jewelry because of its rich, blue color (which makes it easy to color coordinate). It's fairly tough, doesn't easily show wear, and takes an excellent polish. Lapis lazuli's rich history and symbolism also makes it a popular jewelry choice for anyone fascinated with the romance of gemstones.

The ancient Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder called lapis lazuli “a fragment of the starry firmament,” in admiration of its colors, deep blue with twinkling bits of gold. Lapis lazuli is actually a rock composed of lazurite, haüyne, sodalite, and nosean, all members of the sodalite group of minerals. (Lazurite itself may be considered a sulfur-rich haüyne). The colors of lapis range from a medium, grayish blue to intense, royal blue, to deep indigo, with varying amounts of white and brassy gold from calcite and pyrite inclusions. Some purists desire a specimen that's almost entirely lazurite, a deep and uniform blue, but most seek a piece with a moderate to generous sprinkling of golden-colored pyrite.

The use of lapis lazuli for art and jewelry probably originated in Afghanistan and spread to Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Roman world. Many of the gemstones referred to as sapphire or sapphirus, “blue stone,” in the Latin-speaking world of classical antiquity may have actually been pieces of lapis lazuli.

Although collectors may debate how much pyrite is ideal in lapis lazuli, most would agree that the less calcite, the better the stone. Calcite can be seen as streaks or patches within the darker blue or can predominate in the mix, giving the rock an overall lighter blue shade. However, it's not surprising that a stone whose popularity has extended across continents and millennia can reach new markets. Denim and country-western clothing have opened a niche for what once was considered low-quality, virtually unsalable material from Chile. Cleverly dubbed “denim lapis” is now sold widely.

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A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Because of this, pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.

The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those currently sold. Imitation pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive outlets jewellery, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor and is easily distinguished from that of genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewellery, but in the past were also used to adorn clothing. They have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines and paint formulations.

Whether wild or cultured, gem-quality pearls are almost always nacreous and iridescent, like the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls (technically "calcareous concretions") of lesser shine or less spherical shape.

♦ PARAMETER

• Approx. Necklace Length (wearing length):
18 inch
• Approx Stone Size :
(Pearl) 4 mm + (Lapis) 18*10*6~43*21*11 mm
• Product SKU : N0017
• Product Video :


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♦ SHIPPING POLICY

• Handling Time :
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♦ OTHERS

• We DO NOT accept returns and refunds.
• We design and create handcrafted pieces. These are unique and original handmade. You will receive the EXACT item/items as shown in photos. Products are taken in different lighting - so colours may vary. All stones are hand cut and unique, please allow slight variance. Thanks for your business!
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