Barrel Beads Appraisal

Teal Beaded Necklace with Ribbed Barrel Beads

This item is a costume necklace, likely from the mid to late 20th century. It features a continuous strand of beads, predominantly spherical and a consistent dark teal or jade green color. Interspersed along the length are four larger, elongated, ribbed, barrel-shaped beads of the same dark teal hue. These barrel beads have a distinct textured, vertical fluting or reeding pattern. Each spherical bead is separated by a small, gold-toned spacer bead, which adds a touch of metallic accent and serves to define each bead's position on the string. The overall construction appears to be strung on a cord or wire, with visible knots or crimps at the ends near the clasp. The clasp itself, visible in one of the cropped images, is a simple push-in barrel clasp, common in costume jewelry, and appears to be made of gold-toned metal, though it exhibits some wear or tarnishing. The beads themselves have a matte or slightly satin finish, with some areas showing a subtle sheen. There are no obvious chips, cracks, or significant damage to the individual beads, although some minor surface wear consistent with age and use may be present, particularly on the gold-toned spacers which show some discoloration. No maker's marks, signatures, or specific manufacturing details are discernible from the image. The consistent color and material suggest it could be made of plastic, glass, or a composite material, designed to mimic jade or a similar gemstone. The design is straightforward yet visually interesting due to the alternating bead shapes, making it a versatile piece of costume jewelry.