Mediterranean Lace - Vintage 900 Silver Turquoise (Simulated) Hand-Made Filigree Necklace (VN258)

Mediterranean Lace - Vintage 900 Silver Turquoise (Simulated) Filigree Hand-Made Necklace. This exquisite necklace is crafted from 900 silver, tested. The necklace features 18 turquoise cabochons (simulated), vintage era styling, and quality craftsmanship. This lovely necklace is comprised of filigree flowers , which are adorned by beautiful sky blue turquoise gems. The central flowers consists of six dangling tear-drop filigree drops, which are also set with turquoise gems. The chain is a vintage belcher design, which features a secure springing clasp, in perfect working order. This wonderful necklace looks gorgeous when worn, truly a vintage treasure from the beautiful Mediterranean area.

History: Turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever mined, perhaps dating back to 6000 BC, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. ... Turquoise has been mined in Iran for over 3,000 years. It has been used for thousands of years for jewelry by the Ancient Egyptians, who buried fine pieces with mummies.

Simulated turquoise has a history intertwined with the popularity and scarcity of the genuine gemstone. As natural turquoise became more difficult to mine and therefore more expensive, manufacturers began producing imitations using materials like howlite and magnesite, which were then dyed and stabilized to resemble turquoise. This practice became prevalent in the 1990s when Chinese manufacturers began producing large quantities of dyed and stabilized materials. 

The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. They heated the silver ore and blew air over it, a process called cupellation. 

Filigree, derived from Latin filum (thread) and granum (grain), is an ancient metalworking technique involving twisting fine gold or silver wires into intricate, lace-like patterns, dating back to 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. Traditionally handcrafted, it spread through Egypt, Greece, and Portugal, famously forming the "telkari" style in Turkey and ornate jewelry in the Art Nouveau/Art Deco eras

Measurements: Necklace 16 1/2" 

Stone Size: Turquoise(simulated) 2.00 mm each 

Weight: 10.60 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Turkey    Provenance: England 

Date: Circa 1930