XL Chunky French VINTAGE 21.5g 18k GOLD Solid 16.25" Traditional Marseille Necklace

ABOUT:

Back by popular demand! I collected a few of these during my inventory trips to France and this is the last one I have available, although I'll be looking for more on my next trip of course because they are quite popular and on trend right now, they tend to move quickly. This one has larger beads than some of my others for a chunkier look and they are all uniform in size vs. some that are graduating.

These have a beautiful story.

This is an all original French vintage necklace / chain in rich, buttery 18k gold. It is very relevant and wearable today, but its design has origins that date back to the 18th century. In France it is called "Collier Marseille" (Marseille Necklace) or Grain d'Or (Grains of Gold). In those olden times, the women in this region of Provence would collect these gold beads, in various graduating sizes, as a form of savings. They would collect or sell these beads as their finances dictated.

This then became a tradition where a bead was bought at the birth of a girl, and then additional beads were given for subsequent birthdays and life events, eventually resulting in a complete gold bead necklace, each little gold ball added to make a larger piece. What a wonderful tradition! These necklaces are still popular in the south of France. Here is a lovely vintage one with beautiful patina and quality that came from there.

Each 18k gold bead is strung on a dainty 18k gold chain. The piece is in real/solid gold - not plated or gold filled, although the beads are hollow / have vacant space inside them which is the common fabrication and is where the chain is run through.

The clasp has a rosier hue and French hallmark 18k gold, the loop of the chain is also stamped the same. Antique boxes / items in displays in photos are not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

MEASUREMENTS:
It weighs a sturdy 21.5g. Stretched end to end it's 16.25 inches. The beads are all 8mm in diameter. The gold chain inside stringing the beads is a dainty gauge at 0.8mm.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Please also note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and glow, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. It has a beautiful glow. The beads / gold balls have space inside to run the chain connectors but are very thick and sturdy with no deep dents. Some signs of it being worn from age, primarily unevenness around the openings at the sides of each bead, with some scuffs to some beads, some surface wear and patina especially between the beads where they rub together, but this is again only seen if you study it up close due to the mirrored finish. To the eye and while wearing it as an amazing color and shine, like I said it truly glows and the 21 grams of solid 18k gold make it a special piece indeed. Sturdy, wearable and interesting piece in the solid gold version. I have one and wear it often. There are no dark or colored spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings. Impactful worn alone but also layers well with other pieces.

My disclaimer with all my pieces - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition.

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SOCIAL:
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