Lapis lazuli chip bead necklace with heart pendant

This is a beaded necklace featuring small, tumbled chip beads of deep blue lapis lazuli displaying characteristic flecks of golden pyrite throughout the stone. The necklace is strung with continuous chip beads forming the strand, accented near the clasp with smaller spacer elements and terminated by a silver-tone metal hook-and-eye closure. Suspended centrally from the strand is a prominent, puffy heart-shaped lapis lazuli pendant, attached via a decorative, patterned metal bail and an additional small faceted bead spacer. The materials appear to consist of natural semi-precious lapis lazuli stone and non-precious white metal components with a slightly oxidized finish. There is no visible maker's mark or hallmark on the metal components. The item exhibits minor signs of gentle wear consistent with pre-owned vintage or artisan-crafted costume jewelry, though no major structural damage, cracks in the stone, or broken strands are readily apparent. The style suggests a mid-to-late 20th century artisan or commercial boho-chic fashion piece, though exact dating and manufacturing origin remain unverified due to the absence of stamps or signatures.

Based on what I can see in the photograph, this is a vintage artisan-style artisan or commercial costume jewelry piece featuring tumbled lapis lazuli chip beads and a prominent puffy heart pendant with non-precious silver-tone metal components. I cannot verify from a photo alone whether the lapis lazuli is entirely natural or treated, nor can I determine the exact metal composition or age due to the absence of hallmarks or maker's marks. Based on current market conditions, mid-century and boho-chic artisan lapis jewelry typically commands modest interest among collectors of vintage costume pieces, with values generally falling in the $45-75 range assuming the materials are as they appear. If physical inspection were to reveal that the piece is a modern reproduction, synthetic simulant, or mass-produced replica rather than vintage artisan work, the market value would likely decrease to the $20-35 range. To establish a more precise evaluation and confirm the exact material composition, a physical inspection by a qualified gemologist or jewelry appraiser would be necessary.