Assorted Semi Precious Gemstones. Afghani Lapis Lazuli, Tigers Eye, East African green Malachite, Turquoise from China, orange-brown Carnelian from Gujerat west India, cut Crystal Quartz, and one very old banded Agate bead, excavated in the Mazar-i-Sharif region of north Afghanistan. And spacers throughout, between each bead, of small unpolished Afghani Lapis.
The necklace has been professionally strung in Sydney, on silk knotted here and there throughout. The cost of such professional Sydney stranding has risen over 60% since Covid, and constitutes a not inconsiderable portion of the end retail price of this strand. (a Sydney bench jeweller of our acquaintance recently took on the job for an old customer of restranding a bead necklace on silk, knotted each bead, and swore he would never take on that type of job again, no matter how precious the customer. for he could never charge the client the proper amount for the time and labour involved.)