Graduated-Disk Necklace: MOP Maybe, but Maybe Not

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by wlwhittier, Jul 22, 2022.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    OA length ~16½", ~1.3 oz. The largest disks are ~.110" thick, ~.415" diameter; the smallest are ~.090" thick, ~.160" diameter. There are ~160 of them. They're strung on a monofilament; the 4 metal beads don't appear to be silver.

    As much as their initial appearance is of MOP, under a loupe the texture is quite coarse, and has a micro-crystalline sheen. They're gritty on my teeth, coarser than pearls. I think they may be some kind of shell, perhaps freshwater, but don't know enough to differentiate them from MOP, which I associate with a much smoother, finer surface when worked in this manner.

    The barrel clasp seems to be older, but I've no good basis for that.

    Whatever opinions and observations y'all may offer will be most gratefully acknowledged...Thanks!

    fullsizeoutput_9a70.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9a6f.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9a6d.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9a6e.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9a6c.jpeg
     
    judy likes this.
  2. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Knee jerk was puka shell necklace. Very popular in the 70s.
     
    George Chaney, Lark, judy and 2 others like this.
  3. cfh

    cfh Well-Known Member

    It looks a little too uniform to be puka. A true puka shell will be flatter on one side a kinda hollow on the other. If the disks are flat on both sides it might be a faux puka necklace.
     
    George Chaney, judy and wlwhittier like this.
  4. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    They look like bone from here, but Johnny nailed the clasp. Those barrels were in common use in the 70s to early 80s. Annoyed the heck out of me and still do, those clasps.
     
  5. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Yup...dead flat both surfaces. So...if faux puka, what are they made of? Ceramic seems closer than shell, on reflection.
     
    judy likes this.
  6. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Yeah, but they're too hard for bone, I think.

    I'm gonna drop 'em inna ultrasonic, hoping to get the soil off of them. I realize there's some risk in that approach, but I've got nothing to lose, really. Pics of whatever survives will show here!
     
    judy likes this.
  7. cfh

    cfh Well-Known Member

    I have a similar necklace, and I call it faux puka. I am not sure what it is made of but it is certainly organic. Maybe she’ll, or tagua nut? Sorry I can’t be of more help.
     
    judy likes this.
  8. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Yeas not puka shells but something natural more uniform in size.
     
    judy likes this.
  9. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    Coral? I always thought these were a type of coral.
     
    judy likes this.
  10. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    These being puka...or ?
     
    judy likes this.
  11. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    Last edited: Jul 22, 2022
    George Chaney, judy and wlwhittier like this.
  12. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Well, they're our of the ultrasonic...double rinsed an' drying. Now they are stark white! Pics inna AM...

    I'm now thinking they may very well be some kind of white coral...that would explain the semi-crystalline look, and the almost granular texture. I wonder what UV will do...
     
  13. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Marko, the word 'coral' in those listings refers to the dyed sponge coral tube beads, not to the white discs.;)
     
    Marko likes this.
  14. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    The word 'heishi' is coming to mind.
     
    wlwhittier likes this.
  15. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    That seems just right. I usually associate it with tubular silver...but several dictionaries confirm the accuracy of your comment. Thank you, Bronwen!
     
    Bronwen likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Graduated-Disk Necklace
Forum Title Date
Jewelry Bakelite Bead Necklace? Wednesday at 11:03 AM
Jewelry Is this turquoise nugget & Silver filigree necklace from China? Mar 22, 2024
Jewelry Vintage Double Strand Necklace,Maybe Lapis Stones? Mar 22, 2024
Jewelry Would you call this Mexican silver necklace Art Deco? Mar 21, 2024
Jewelry Nice Colorful Rhinestone Necklace, hook missing, no markings? Mar 17, 2024

Share This Page