Mid-Century Aurora Borealis Faceted Black Glass Bead Necklace
Decorative art, costume jewelry (double-strand necklace) • Unsigned; likely manufactured in Western Europe (West Germany, Austria, or Czechoslovakia) for the American export market.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Hollywood Regency
Medium & Technique
Faceted black glass beads with Aurora Borealis (AB) coating, brass filigree bead caps, and decorative box clasp. Hand-strung on wire or thread with metallic spacer elements.
Creation Period
circa 1950-1965
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24-28 inches in length (opera or matinee length); double-strand portrait format.
Subject Description
A double-strand necklace featuring graduated, faceted jet-black glass beads. Many beads are treated with an 'Aurora Borealis' finish, which provides an iridescent metallic sheen reflecting blue, green, and purple hues. Each bead is capped with decorative gold-tone brass filigree, a hallmark of mid-century costume jewelry aesthetics.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The beads show high luster, though some surface abrasion is visible on the AB coating.
Estimated Market Value
$45.00 - $85.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$30.00 - $60.00 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; typical of pieces circulating in the secondary vintage market or passed down as family heirlooms from the mid-20th century.
Art Historical Significance
The piece represents the post-war boom in high-quality costume jewelry. The use of the Aurora Borealis coating, invented by Swarovski in 1955 in collaboration with Christian Dior, dates this piece to the late 50s or early 60s when this 'rainbow' effect became a global fashion phenomenon.
Notable Features
Features elaborate filigree bead caps and a decorative 'hidden' box clasp set with a matching faceted stone, indicating a higher quality of production than standard department store mass-market jewelry.
Condition Issues
Visible wear to the iridescent AB coating on high-contact facets; possible oxidation or 'verdigris' on the brass bead caps; potential weakening of the original stringing material due to age.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a low-humidity environment to prevent brass oxidation. Clean only with a dry, soft microfiber cloth to avoid stripping the delicate iridescent coating. Store flat to prevent stretching the string.