Vintage Chinese LAPIS ETERNITY SHOU Carved A/B Grade Bead Dangle Earrings,Ornate Silver Beads,Handmade authentic Bali Sterling Silver Ear Wires

Vintage 1980s Chinese A/B Grade Lapis Lazuli Hand Carved Eternity Shou Infinity Beads, Handmade Bali Sterling Silver Ear Wires, Handmade Bali Sterling Silver Bead Caps, Bali Style Silver Beads

Vintage rich VERY deep blue A/B grade lapis that we personally selected in Hong Kong during the early 1980's . These are natural un-dyed lapis - the color is DARK navy blue .
Each bead is approximately 16mm ( 5/8" ) in diameter and has two eternity or Chinese shou symbols ( representing eternity ) meticulously carved in high relief.

With the vanishing of the skilled labor in China to carve such beads, beads of this intricacy and quality are no longer being produced in China and have become increasingly rare and are near to impossible to find these days - especially with this level of workmanship! These vintage beads are over 35 years old and showcase the intricate carvings of the 'older generation ' of fine craftsmen .

◉ Lapis lazuli is actually a rock composed of several minerals including pyrite and calcite. The mineral component called "lazurite " is the one that makes lapis blue. The quality of lapis depends on the exact shade of blue and the amount of lazurite relative to the other minerals. Higher quality lapis ( like these beads ) is a pure blue with very little pyrite and calcite visible.

Total weight of these 2 beads is approximately 40 carats ( lapis of this grade is always sold by the carat )
**Please note that these photos really don't do these beads justice ! ***

◉ COORDINATED BRACELET PICTURED ABOVE SOLD SEPARATELY:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1181672406/vintage-gem-lapis-carved-shou-eternity

These earrings are approximately 2" long and have been finished on Bali handmade sterling silver french ear wires with Bali handmade sterling silver bead caps both top and bottom. An ornate silver bead at the top adds additional texture and interest.

They will arrive gift wrapped in a little box tied with a pretty ribbon all ready for gift giving.

***Shipping includes insurance within the US and International *** authentic