Baltic Amber Necklace Appraisal

Graduated Amber Bead Necklace

This is a vintage graduated amber bead necklace, crafted from polished amber nuggets. The necklace features a warm, rich cognac to honey-yellow color palette, displaying varying degrees of translucency and natural inclusions characteristic of genuine amber. The beads are irregularly shaped, showcasing their organic origin, and are hand-polished to a smooth, lustrous finish. The graduation is evident, with smaller, flatter chips at the back transitioning to larger, more substantial teardrop or rounded nugget shapes towards the front and center of the necklace. The approximate length of the necklace appears to be around 18 to 22 inches, suitable for a choker or short princess length. It is strung on a durable cord, likely silk or nylon, and secured with a small brass or gold-toned metal screw clasp, consistent with jewelry from the mid-20th century. Visible condition issues include minor surface wear, small nicks, and slight variations in the bead shapes, all consistent with age and natural formation. The metal clasp shows a bit of tarnishing, suggesting it might be brass or a base metal alloy rather than solid gold. The overall craftsmanship indicates a handmade or artisan-crafted piece, emphasizing the natural beauty of the amber rather than highly uniform production. No specific maker's marks or signatures are discernible from the image. The style suggests an age perhaps from the 1950s to 1970s, though amber jewelry has been popular for much longer.