Featured Ivory, Jade & GOLD, I SAID GOLD DARNIT!! Bracelet. Who Dunnit?

Ever go to an auction and they have a tray full of jewelry and you spot that ONE THING that you must have because it's worth 18 billion dollars and NO ONE except you knows about it? Right. That never happens to me, either.

However, I did spot this lovely Ivory, Jade and PURE gold nugget bracelet with matching earrings nestled among a smattering of junk brooches, watches and other unsavory bits of costume jewelry. My heart was pounding when they auctioneer said "choice from the tray" and I got first dibs for $20.

Afterwards, my auctions "buddies" asked me about the necklace. "I don't have a clue," I said, honestly. However, I knew it was ivory. I also suspected that the jade was indeed, jade. But I didn't know about the gold. When I got home and did a test, it came out as real, honest-to-goodness solid gold nuggets. Yippee!!

Yes, it's broken and needs restrung. No big deal. What I would like to know is who the heck made my little bundle of good fortune?

Any ideas?

 

Just a few stray thoughts... nugget jewelry was big in the 80s, right? That could help date it. It also sounds like some Alaskan pieces I've seen. Jade and nuggets, with "Alaskan ivory" (antlers, I thought, at the time). Here's a link to an ivory and jade nugget piece.
It's so clean and dramatic, stylish!

 

alaskan....most likely..

 

Hi,
Good luck to you!!!! What a nice find.
greg

 

I agree with Komokwa about a probable Alaskan connection; look at THIS similar bracelet...

 

WOOT! Congrats! That's one seriously good deal for $20.

 

ooh nice! Thanks for the link. Same method and such but different design.

 

Sweet!

 

Love it !!! Good for you...! Nice deal..

 

How could he sell it on ebay though

 

"faux ox bone" and "natural material" are two euphemistic phrases used to describe ivory ... there are others too ... just not coming to mind right now

 

There are THOUSANDS of auctions on eBay right now that are offering ivory in various forms. Some call them "ox bone" or other names. Those collector/buyers know what ivory is and can spot which sellers are offering such items.

This necklace set will go to a local auction that often sells higher end jewelry.

 

yeah, what quirkygirl said 4.3 seconds before me

 

I'd sell it at a live auction too - just as long as it's not in New Jersey or Connecticut; I don't think you can sell ivory in either state, even if it's old.

 

JFK collected Scrimshaw. I have a beautiful piece I bought long ago by the same artist he collected.
Have 'they' confiscated JFK's
Yeah... I doubt it.

 

I guess museums can have it, and that's Massachusetts anyway.

 

I do know the Kennedys own Massachusetts but didn't/don't know where his collection is now. May even have been sold for all I know.

 

I figured it was in the Kennedy Library, most likely, although someone in the family could have it.

 

Here in MA we can sell ivory so long as we only sell it to someone within the state, it can't cross state lines. But who knows, maybe that will change soon!

 

lots of new ivory jewelry is still being made in Alaska !