Antique Edwardian Red Mediterranean Coral Graduated Bead Necklace
A timeless and enduring classic, the graduated coral beads necklace has been in fashion for nearly two centuries. This luscious example is carved from a deep orange-red Mediterranean coral, with some beads approaching a true oxblood red. This necklace dates to the first decade of the 20th century, a time when a darker red coral was considered incredibly desirable. There is a lovely spectrum of deep oranges and reds, with some beads approaching a true oxblood red. The beads show all of the hallmarks of hand carving, with charming irregularities and asymmetry. This necklace is in excellent condition, and has been professionally restrung on period appropriate silk cord, with its original charming silver and marcasite clasp. All 5 marcasite are intact, and are bead-set instead of glued (which is common in marcasite jewelry after the 1920s). The necklace measures 18" long, with the smallest beads measuring 4 mm and the largest bead measuring 7 mm.