1 of 4

Ancient Rectangular Lapis Lazuli Beads with Granulated Silver Spacer Beads

$2,500List Price

About the Item

Forty-seven ancient corner-less cube lapis lazuli beads alternating with two layer granulated silver ring beads. The beads graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The center bead is 1.2 cm in length, 1.32 mm in width and 9 mm and 9 mm in thickness. It has a drill hole diameter of 3.2 mm. The smallest lapis bead is just 7 mm in length and 5 mm in width. The beads about half way back are around 6 mm in length and 5 mm in width. The drill hole diameters are around 2 mm. The beads are not strictly speaking actually cubes but rather rectangular solids. The name “corner-less cubes” is what we use to describe the faceting technique of removing the corners to produce a bead with twelve planes. The silver beads are made in three sizes in order to follow the decreasing sizes of the lapis beads. Each bead is composed of two layers of six grains in a hexagonal pattern. The lapis beads come from the Swat Valley area in northern Pakistan and are around two thousand years old. They show wear from long use and were obviously worn continuously by their owners and passed down through generations. Lapis lazuli is a fairly soft mineral and was made into beads from Neolithic times, since it can be drilled fairly easily with flint of chert bits. It had the property of being self polishing, as wearing the beads improved their luster. This, in addition to the symbolic meaning of the blue color, added to their allure as a desirable material. Indeed, lapis lazuli was traded out of the Silk Road for thousands of years. Egyptian pharaohs worn them in their ornaments and lapis lazuli was especially prized by the Mesopotamian civilizations as well as by the Persians. Lapis is composed of Lazurite and milky white calcite and other minerals. Sometimes it contains iron pyrite which sparkles like gold and which suggests that gold and lapis are a divinely inspired combination. The combination of the constituents is nearly infinite resulting in a great variation in color and pattern as the calcite can also take on color from other minerals. It can speckle or mottle or form zones in the various shades of blue. A custom made hook and eye clasp has been made for the necklace in addition to the forty-seven double layered silver spacer beads. The necklace is 21 and 7/8 inches (55.6 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 52 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Silver
Stone:
Lapis Lazuli
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
52 g
Dimensions:
Length: 21.89 in (556 mm)
Style:
Artist
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Unknown
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The lapis lazuli beads used in this piece are all ancient. The silverwork is modern and was done by our expert gold/silversmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient stone beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425216102812

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Faceted Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace

$1,100

Free Shipping

W 0.63 in L 18.5 in

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

Located in Chipping Campden, GB

The blue of the gorgeous lapis stone beads really pop in this necklace. Shortest Length: 44cm Longest Length: 56 Large Bead Diameter: 10mm Weight: 139g

Category

Vintage 1960s British Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

$409

Free Shipping

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

Located in Chipping Campden, GB

The blue of the gorgeous lapis stone beads really pop in this necklace. Length: 47.5cm Large Bead Diameter: 12mm Weight: 53g

Category

Vintage 1960s British Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

$259

Free Shipping

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

Located in Chipping Campden, GB

The blue of the gorgeous lapis stone beads really pop in this necklace. Length: 51cm Large Bead Dimensions: 15x20mm Weight: 56g

Category

Vintage 1960s British Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

$436

Free Shipping

Ancient Style Pearl and Multicolor Jade Beaded Necklace with Diamond Spacer

By Artisan NYC

Located in New York, NY

This necklace features a beautiful combination of pearls and multicolor jade beads, carefully chosen to create a stunning contrast. The diamond spacer ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Medieval Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Silver

Ancient Style Pearl and Multicolor Jade Beaded Necklace with Diamond Spacer

$4,897

Free Shipping

L 25.6 in

Lapis Lazuli Rondelle Beads Necklace

Located in Chesterland, OH

The length of the necklace is 19 inches ( 48 cm). The size of the rondelle beads is 20 mm. The necklace is made of gems in saturated, deep, dark blue with inclusions of gold pyrite. ...

Category

2010s American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Lapis Lazuli Rondelle Beads Necklace

$880 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

L 19 in

18K Yellow Gold Aquamarine Fresh Water Pearl Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace

By Valentin Magro

Located in New York, NY

Cool-toned gems evoke the serenity of the sea. Aquamarine is the anchor of this necklace, featuring carved oval and globe beads. Lapis lazuli rondellle beads emphasize the blue hues,...

Category

2010s American Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...

18K Yellow Gold Aquamarine Fresh Water Pearl Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace

$11,300

Free Shipping

L 39 in

Tracey Designs Navajo Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace in Yellow Gold Enamel

Located in New York, NY

A unique necklace, showcasing a geometric Native American design made of 14K yellow gold and inlaid with enamel and lapis lazuli. Suspended on a...

Category

20th Century American Native American Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Tracey Designs Navajo Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace in Yellow Gold Enamel

$5,500

Free Shipping

Lapis Lazuli Bead Choker Necklace in 925 Sterling Silver

Located in Ridgefield, CT

Elevate your style with this vibrant lapis lazuli bead choker necklace, meticulously handcrafted with care and elegance. Each natural lapis lazuli bead reveals deep, rich blue hues f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Lapis Lazuli Bead Choker Necklace in 925 Sterling Silver

$135

Free Shipping

L 16 in

38" Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace

Located in Palm Desert, CA

This striking 38-inch beaded necklace features 96 deep blue Lapis Lazuli beads, each measuring approximately 7.0mm. Expertly hand-knotted between each bead, the necklace showcases th...

Category