Black Beaded Necklace Appraisal

Black Beaded Necklace (Unclasped)

This item is a single strand of what appears to be a black beaded necklace or bracelet, currently unclasped and laid out, forming a 'U' shape. The beads are uniformly spherical and possess a dark, possibly black or very dark grey, hue with a noticeable luster, suggesting they might be polished stone (such as onyx, obsidian, or hematite) or glass. Each bead appears to be approximately 6-8mm in diameter, strung together closely with no visible knots between individual beads. The stringing material itself is not clearly visible, but the beads are tightly threaded. At both ends of the strand, there are small, cylindrical gold-toned findings, which typically serve as the attachment points for a clasp mechanism. One of these findings has a small loop, and the other shows a similar attachment point where a clasp would connect, though the clasp itself is absent. The visible condition suggests some wear, particularly on the gold-toned findings which seem slightly discolored or tarnished, though the beads themselves appear to be in good condition without significant chips or cracks. The overall impression is one of a simple, classic design, likely mass-produced given the uniform bead size and common stringing style. The lack of a distinguishable clasp prevents a full assessment of its style, but it appears to be a functional piece for adornment. Its age is difficult to determine without further context, but the style is timeless, potentially dating from the mid-20th century to contemporary.