Victorian Banded Agate Bead Necklace

This beautiful strand of banded agate beads hails from the Victorian era, dating to the 1870s. As with most jewelry of the period, Queen Victoria’s affinity for agate greatly influenced its popularity, as it was well-suited to the mourning jewelry that she wore at the time. This impressive strand comprises 43 beautifully matched beads, graduating in size from 9mm to 16.8mm, their deep color dramatically accented by the naturally occurring, distinct white linear bands. The necklace measures 24.5 inches in length and fastens with a modern 14K yellow gold lobster clasp.

Circa 1870