XL Chunky French Vintage to Antique 27.2g 18k GOLD Pearl Solid Traditional Marseille Necklace Ornate Clasp Beads

ABOUT:

Back by popular demand! I collected a few of these during my inventory trips to France and this is the larger one of two 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.

Found in Paris - 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. It also has a large scale and beautiful hand engraved clasp. These decorative clasps are often worn to the front or side if desired as an additional design element.

The French don't use dated hallmarks but this one appears to be an older one. Such a gorgeous glow! These have a beautiful story.

This is an all original French vintage to antique 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 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. What a wonderful tradition! These necklaces are still popular in the south of France. Here is a lovely vintage to antique one with beautiful patina and quality that came Paris.

Each bead is run on a dainty gold chain. The piece is in real/solid 18k gold - not plated or gold filled, although the beads are hollow / have vacant space inside them which is the common fabrication. They are sturdy though and do not feel tinny, they do not flex when squeezing, etc.

There are French hallmarks for 18k gold with goldsmith stamp on the clasp and on the loop of the chain.

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 decipher scale from photos, especially with the zoomed images that I am required to present for detail.

MEASUREMENTS:
It weighs a sturdy 27.2g. Stretched end to end it's almost 17.25 inches - not including the tongue insert of the clasp which nests inside and does not add length. The beads are all 9mm in diameter.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

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 through but are thick and sturdy with no super deep dents. One bead about 6 inches from the large clasp on one end has a gradual linear impression. On the opposite end with the tongue insert part of the clasp, four beads at the very end each have a smaller impression - a shallow gradual ding. A few other less noticeable and again super shallow impressions on a few other beads but they all appear full and round, none are out of round or disfigured, rather just surface the surface impression here or there but the beads are mirrored and reflective with a gorgeous glow so I did not find this terribly noticeable or distracting. Something to look for in photos. There are no holes or punctures or sharp pin dings.

The clasp is very sturdy and clicks shut securely and functions well. Some signs of it being worn from age, 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 27 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.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )

All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).

Box #DM.!@2$