Featured Help Tribal? Older? Bone Ivory? Mixed Metals Leather Necklace

I have had this long necklace for quite some time & buy used all the time so at this point, I do not remember where it came from. I have just now decided it might be older. At least the leather looks older and I can't remember ever seeing a chain like that. I do not wear it much because I can break anything and it is heavy because of the metal plus, since I do not know the strength of the material the woven chain is made because I do not know what it is, I'm afraid it may break. The center metal is iron but the other 2 are probably brass or bronze? and copper, not attracted to a magnet and the flat silver washer looking object is sterling I believe. I'm thinking tribal but not sure of country if so. Any information would be appreciated as to age, origin, if ivory or bone, chain material? I'm I apologize for all the photos but I figured you might need them.

 

It looks like someone used whatever came handy. That one "ring" is a metal washer pressed into service. Buddhist prayer mala?

 

I like the twisted metal rope..

 

Agree, it is an antique Buddhist mala.
It is either Himalayan or a from a related culture in China, because the two lower brass beads are a worn Ghanta and Vajra, which are also seen on this antique mala:


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257760778648703182/

 

Really impressed Any Jewelry with your knowledge of this. Sorry I haven't responded but I have traveled to take care of an invalid and have been too tired to check. I thought it looked old. Any ideas what they used to twist for the "chain"? Just curious. Do you think it is ivory or just bone? I do have an ivory statue and at times when I look at it, I think it might be ivory and other times I do not think it is. I am sure the silver washer will test sterling, I am not home as I said and cannot test now. I see in one of the photos on the website you attached that the necklace the Buddhist man is wearing is also long. I looked up Ghanta and Vajra and am thinking they represent religious symbols? Thank you!

 

A vise and a pair of pliers.

 

The bit at the end looks like braided picture wire, as much as anything. Macrame-d. I'd say a lot of the white beads are ivory, but if you're lucky (and want to sell it) they're tagua nut. It's a nut/seed that orinally grew in the Caribbean and central America and is used as an ivory substitute.

 

Funny. I need that today. Thanks.

 

Thanks I will look that up, but darn I probably will because I do not want to risk breaking it. I could break steel. However, I do think it is bone or ivory. I can tell some, this I cannot.

 

Go with the nut or bone; They're legal. Looks like a couple of pieces of amber or agate and a piece of turquois are involved.