A lovely Roman/Egyptian Crystal and Chalcedony Necklace, ca. 2040 BCE - 1st century CE

This elegant necklace is composed of twenty-four hand-carved hard-stone beads in a natural palette ranging from warm honey tones to smoky grey, milky white, and crystal-clear. The strand includes a mix of early Egyptian and later Roman beads, all fashioned from stones within the quartz–chalcedony family. The fully transparent beads are rock crystal, while the opaque to semi-translucent examples represent chalcedony in its various natural hues, including honey, grey, and milky white. Each bead is shaped and polished individually, displaying the distinct lapidary traditions of the two cultures.

The beads are linked with antique 14K gold wirework connectors, which complements the ancient material without overwhelming it.  Rock crystal and chalcedony in all its forms were valued by the ancients for their protective properties.  Rock crystal was a healing stone, used to protect against disease, as well as negative energies. Chalcedony could channel divine energy and offer protection from the gods. A necklace with this array of protective energy would have been a very highly-prized item.  The overall effect is elegant and quietly luxurious, with the varied translucency of the stones catching the light in a soft and sophisticated way. 

Medium:  Rock crystal, chalcedony, gold

Dimensions:  Necklace length: 23 inches (58.42 cm); Drop length: 11 inches (28 cm)

Condition:  The beads are intact and in excellent condition overall.  The necklace has been restrung during the early part of the 20th century with 14K yellow gold connectors and clasp.

Provenance:  Private Montreal collection, then by descent.

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