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Antique Book Chain Bracelet in 18 Karat Yellow Gold with Chrysoprase Box Clasp

About the Item

This unusual chain is a segment from an 18 karat gold 40" long necklace that one of our customers inherited from a great-great-great-blah-blah aunt. We know it's European, because her people immigrated from Poland, and we know it's at least a hundred years old (by the number of "greats" in front of the distant aunt) but that's about it. The mark on the original clasp just says "18K," with no tasty hallmarks to help with identification. We've never seen a chain like this. It resembles a book chain, but the construction is different. Basically, it's two lengths of rolo-style cable chain connected to each other by horizontal oval loops with links on each end. It's got great, loose-snaky movement, and every other center loop has been stamped with a bubbly pattern, just to give it a little more visual oomph. We're going to cut this chain down for various projects because it doesn't really work as a necklace. (It's the kind of thing you'd wear with your metals of office, which you don't have, and neither does anyone else.) Project numero uno is this one-of-a-kind, absolutely unique bracelet, which combines the chain with a fantastic vintage 14 karat box clasp, salvaged from an ugly bead bracelet, that's been sitting around the shop just waiting for this chain to come along. It's a big oval box clasp set with a chewy chrysoprase cabochon, nicely cut, great color, and about 15 carats. The clasp is stamped "585" and "14" on the back, along with the maker's mark (MG) for Manchu Gems, which was a Hong Kong jeweler that produced a lot of distinctively "oriental" jade, coral and chrysoprase jewelry in 14k gold in the 1960s and 1970s. The clasp is 7/8" long and 5/8" wide. It has a figure 8 safety catch. The chain is 3/8" wide. The length of the bracelet is up to you. We recommend a length that is closely fitted to your wrist so that the chain and clasp lie flat (and flatteringly) against your wrist, so more like your wristwatch size than your bangle size. Just let us know your preferred length when you check out and Eytan will make it so. The total weight of the bracelet, assuming a length of 6-5/8", will be approximately 15.7 grams.
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    15.67 g
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 0.375 in (9.53 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    2022
  • Condition:
    Polished. Additions or alterations made to the original: The clasp is probably around 50 years old. The chain is over 100 years old. Both pieces have been cleaned and polished with no defects to report.
  • Seller Location:
    Sherman Oaks, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: FD03951stDibs: LU1673116875802

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