Late 1950s Aurora Borealis Glass Necklace 59 Inch Hand Wired Enamel Rhinestone Flower Beads
Circa late 1950s to early 1960s, this extraordinary 59-inch necklace is individually hand wired with aqua AB glass and olive green beads, plus eight elaborate double-sided pale blue enamel flower beads set with sparkling AB rhinestones.
$139.00
Exceptional workmanship and an extraordinary level of detail distinguish this circa late 1950s to early 1960s aurora borealis glass necklace. Measuring an impressive 59 inches long, the entire necklace is constructed from individually wire-linked beads rather than simply strung components. Faceted 8 mm aqua blue glass beads shimmer with an iridescent AB finish, flashing soft tones of lavender, green, pink, and blue as they catch the light. Translucent 15 mm olive green oval glass beads are interspersed throughout the design, adding rich color contrast and visual depth.
The eight elaborate double-sided focal beads are the true highlights of the necklace. Each dimensional metal bead is decorated on both faces, allowing the intricate ornamentation to remain visible as the necklace moves and turns when worn. Both sides feature flowers painted in very pale blue enamel and individually accented with aurora borealis rhinestones. A larger central flower on each face holds a 6 mm AB stone and displays a distinctly different petal texture from the smaller surrounding flowers, which are centered with 3 mm AB stones. Five additional 3 mm AB rhinestones embellish each side of every focal bead, creating remarkable sparkle and intricate detail throughout the design. Subtle variations in the enamel and decorative elements further reflect the labor-intensive nature of the construction.
Every blue and olive green glass bead is individually wired and connected, creating a fluid, articulated necklace that represents a considerable amount of hand assembly across its exceptional 59-inch length. The necklace is finished with a spring-ring closure and can be worn as one dramatic extra-long strand or doubled for a layered look. It remains in good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear and patina to the metal components and findings.
Combining extensive hand-wired construction, iridescent aurora borealis glass, dimensional double-sided enameled floral beads, and individually set AB rhinestones, this is an unusually elaborate example of late 1950s to early 1960s costume jewelry craftsmanship.