Antique sterling silver (tested) filigree bead, triple stranded necklace - gorgeous alternating silver and gold vermeil beads, 76 grams

Fabulous antique unmarked sterling silver and gold vermeil filigree bead three stranded necklace. The material has been tested and is sterling silver but not hallmarked, as was the norm with many of these type of pieces of this age. Half the beads are silver in appearance, and the other half have a thin gold plating, often called 'gold vermeil'.

This is a heavy piece, weighing 76 grams overall. The necklace has a mid-length, with the shortest strand having a length of about 21 inches and the longest about 23 inches. The necklace fastens with a secure spring ring clasp. I have seen this type of sterling filigree bead described as being from various eras - from Georgian up to Art Deco. My hunch is that this necklace is possibly Victorian, but perhaps more likely to be from early in the 20th century - perhaps Edwardian.