Vintage Turquoise Nugget and Coral Necklace in Sterling Silver, 18 Inch

This one is simple in the best way. Long, tapered sterling silver beads run the length of the strand, with small saucer beads between them. Everything leads to the center: one turquoise nugget with a red coral barrel bead on each side.

It's a vintage piece, over 20 years old. When it came to us, the stringing needed attention, so our family's team at Cutting Edge Turquoise restrung it and added a new sterling silver clasp. It's ready to wear again, not just look at.

The details

• Length: 18 inches

• Metal: .925 sterling silver beads, new sterling silver clasp

• Stones: one turquoise nugget at center, two red coral barrel beads

• Condition: vintage and recently restrung. Expect light surface wear on the silver that comes with its age. The clasp is new.

What I don't know

This necklace isn't signed, so I don't know who made it. I also don't know which mine the turquoise came from, and I won't guess. So I'm listing it as vintage Southwestern and not crediting a maker or a tribe.

How it wears

At 18 inches it sits right around the collarbone. It looks clean with a plain tee or an open collar, and it layers well under a longer pendant. The silver does the talking, and the turquoise and coral give it a little color right where it catches the eye.

I have two

They're nearly identical, but every turquoise nugget has its own shape. The one you get may look slightly different from the photos.

Care

Turquoise and coral are both porous. Put this on after lotion and perfume, take it off before water, and wipe the silver with a soft cloth.

$245, with free shipping and 30-day returns. When both are gone, they're gone.

Learn more. Browse the Turquoise Buying Guide, or check the Turquoise Glossary for terms that come up when you shop vintage and rare stones.