Vintage Mother of Pearl Heishe Bead Necklace

This item is a long, single-strand necklace composed of natural shell beads, likely mother of pearl or white shell. The beads are carved into a 'heishe' style, which refers to small, disc or tube-shaped beads that have been smoothed and drilled. The pieces are irregular in shape, ranging from rectangular to square, giving the piece an organic, handcrafted appearance typical of the mid-to-late 20th century, specifically the 1970s boho-chic era. The color palette is primarily creamy white with subtle iridescent lusters and occasional tan or light brown natural inclusions or 'rind' on the edges of the shell. In terms of construction, the beads are strung on a white cord, which appears to be continuous or finished with a simple tie, as no metal clasp is visible in the primary loops. The length suggests it could be worn doubled or as a single opera-length strand. Notable condition indicators include slight fraying of the visible string near the top and natural variations in the shell surface. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, but the uniformity in drilling suggests a skilled craftsperson. This style is frequently associated with Southwestern or Pacific Island traditional jewelry but was mass-produced as costume jewelry during the vintage shell jewelry craze.