Lazurite Necklace - Kone Baung Dynasty (1752-1885) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

A beautiful necklace composed of 48 individual beads of Lazurite (Lapis Lazuli) measuring between 12.76 mm to 11.45 mm and weighing 140.2 grams which is dated as coming from the From the Kone Baung Dynasty (1752-1885). I'm assuming the clasp on the necklace is more modern, but the beads themselves are certainly from the 19th Century or older. For reference, there has been a lot confusion surrounding the species of Lazurite, which for a long time was a valid minerals, then defined as a variety of Hauyne, but it now again a valid species, as a confirmed piece was reported from the Malo-Bystrinskoe lazurite deposit in Russia. With that said, it's likely that these beads are either Sodalite or Hauyne, but it's impossible to determine visually, one of them would have to be destroyed in order to be analyzed to know for certain. From collection of Bill ("Burma Bill") Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill traveled the world for decades in search of fine gems and minerals, and was directly involved in the in-person acquisition and importation of superb specimens and stones from Myanmar (Burma). You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/