Vintage Mixed Metal Mesh Collar Necklace With Aurora Borealis Crystal Centerpiece Appraisal

Vintage Mixed-Metal Mesh Collar Necklace with Aurora Borealis Crystal Centerpiece

This is a statement collar-style necklace featuring a thick, silver-toned woven mesh chain that provides a substantial, tubular structure. The focal point is a large, oval-shaped faceted crystal with an Aurora Borealis (AB) coating, which displays a prismatic range of colors including pink, yellow, and blue. The crystal is secured in a mixed-metal setting characterized by concentric rows of beaded or 'caviar' texture in both silver and gold tones, creating a high-contrast decorative border. The mesh chain terminates in flared silver-toned end caps embellished with a double row of metallic spheres. Based on the construction style and the use of the AB crystal, this piece likely dates to the late 20th century (1980s or 1990s), drawing inspiration from Byzantine or Balinese jewelry designs. The condition appears fair to good; there is visible oxidation and a darker patina on the silver-toned mesh and end caps, suggesting it may be silver-plated base metal or sterling silver that has tarnished over time. There are no immediate signs of missing beads or cracked stones, though the mesh shows minor signs of stiffness consistent with age.