Jewelry in mint condition after 50 or 60 years doesn't come along every day, but this stunning vintage necklace has never been worn.  It's from old store stock in a long-retired Utah jeweler's estate.

No doubt made in 1950s or early 1960s, these beads are a double strand.  The inner strand measures 16 inches and drapes within an outer strand about 20 inches long, for an overall look that's incredibly opulent.

Obviously, the necklace would cost many hundreds of dollars if genuine, since the beads look like the finest emerald jade (not a bit sage- or olive-colored).  It's possible the beads are of real jade dyed to that color - even my jeweler couldn't tell for sure - but more likely they're thermoplastic. Judging by weight, the 9 large ornamental golden plaques are gilded plastic; they're great pretenders, though.  The pretty filigree clasp is gilt metal.