This necklace is from the 1920s or 1930s and is made of Meerschaum, a soft white clay mineral called sepiolite. The clay was molded into graduated sizes of beads of little rose buds surrounded by smooth raised round circles and smaller beads just entirely of the raised round circles. The necklace is lightweight because of the sepiolite.

It is 26” long. The beads are a creamy white. There is discoloring in some areas because porous material like sepiolite absorbs oil from the body. Some of the beads have a few nicks here and there and some of the rose petal parts are worn, but overall the beads are in great shape given their age and the softness of the clay they were made of.

It has a pretty silver tone filigreed box clasp.

The necklace is strung on monofilament or nylon string, leading me to think it was restrung at some point since that type of material wasn’t used in the 1920s or 1930s when the beads were made.

It has a slight odor of minerals. But my sense of smell is hypersensitive so it might not be noticeable to other people; I just want to point it out for transparency's sake.

Meerschaum or sepiolite was most often used to make clay tobacco pipes or cameos. Bead necklaces made of it are rare, which makes this necklace even more special.

This item is sold from a vintage boutique in Jenkintown, Pa.