New: Make a Wishlist of your Favorite Treasures!
New: Make a Wishlist of your Favorite Treasures!
Our Sturdy and Elegant Sterling Silver Hook and Double Eye Clasps are Back in Stock!
Our Sturdy and Elegant Sterling Silver Clasps are back in stock!
Yay! A free gift with every order!
Yay! A free gift with every order!
A strand of antique banded agate beads made in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, from Rita design room. Includes two long agate bicones, three larger cylinders, and four smaller cylinders, along with a smoky glass bicone and a small fluted black-and-white glass bead. A mix of white, brown, black, and gray, with fabulous banded markings.
Why We Love It
Old banded cylinders from Idar-Oberstein are rare to find, especially in these small sizes
Good translucency and color throughout, with crisp, well-defined banding
Lots of design inspiration in one short strand
Provenance: Idar Oberstein, Germany (from Rita's design room).
Age: 19th century to early 20th century.
Dimensions: Long bicones 23–28 mm in length; larger cylinders 8–12 mm in diameter; smaller cylinders 4–6 mm in diameter; strand of 9 agate beads plus one glass bicone and one non-agate glass fluted bead, on a temporary wire.
Condition: Good antique condition minor pitting and small natural inclusions on some agate beads, including a few dark spots on the dark bicone. Strung on a temporary wire for display only.
History: Idar and Oberstein in Germany were the center of European agate cutting from the 1500s onward. By the 19th century, cutters there were working Brazilian agate and treating it to deepen the browns and blacks and sharpen the banding. Many of these beads were made for export to West Africa, where banded agate was highly valued.
Collector Item 201a
We generally ship orders within 48 hours of time of order. We will contact you with any questions, and settle any issues (address, product specifics, etc) before shipping.
USPS First Class Mail (now also known as Ground Advantage) is FREE for all U.S. orders of $35.00 or more, and is $4.00 for orders of less than $35.00.
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For China and India, and some other regions, we only use UPS, FedEX, or USPS Priority Express Mail International, due to better tracking and reliability of delivery.
Let us know if you have questions regarding shipping - we are here to help.
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Note: if your order's shipping cost is less than we've charged you, we will credit you back for the difference, via your payment method.
Sometimes shipments take longer than we'd like for arrival at their destination. Please allow adequate time for arrival and use tracking information as available. Need more help? Email us at help@ritaokrent.com and we will do everything possible to help you locate your parcel.
At the Rita Okrent Collection, we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Items purchased from the RitaOkrent.com website in sale-able condition can be returned for a full refund - please contact us within 30 days of receipt of the items in your order to indicate that you will be returning item(s) from your purchase via the method below or via email at help@ritaokrent.com.
We also accept partial and full order cancellations for those orders that have not yet been shipped. Please notify us immediately upon your decision to change or cancel your order so we can accommodate your needs (via email: help@ritaokrent.com).
Customers are responsible for return shipping, with insurance, to the Rita Okrent Collection. Please ship your purchase back to us as soon as possible in order to expedite your refund. Your refund will be processed immediately upon return receipt of your purchase.
Please ship your purchases back to:
Rita Okrent Collection
1585 Hillsmont Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
USA
I am more than happy with my recent order from this merchant. I have been visiting and purchasing from her for years and I am never disappointed with what is sent. This is a super seller…great selection, very fast shipping and just an all around nice person. A+++
Love these little beads. Fast shipping and friendly service.
Just what I wanted and shipped quickly!
love these great for my designs and you are so kind and caring….favorite shop
So excited to have these again! They really do put a stunning finishing touch on any project!
Excellent quality clasps and the perfect size. My favourite clasps to use in my jewelry designs.
The treasures are as beautiful as the foto you posted.
Thanks!
The items were perfect and beautiful.
Thanks,
Cecilia
Great quality!!!
Love them!!!
These pieces are glowing! They are so beautiful!!! I picture women wearing them in the sun and imagine how they must have gleamed in their hair. The white ornament surely glinted with sunlight! The ornaments must have moved so gracefully in their hair and with the light striking the pieces. I imagine this was an incredible thing to see! I feel like I understand these adornments in ways I never could have, not having seen them in person before.
I truly value the beautiful and unique items I have found at the Rita Okrent Collection. The owner has always been very helpful and kind. I recommend them without hesitation.
Appreciate your kindness and honesty in the way you do business. These beads and all I’ve received from you are top notch. Thank you Denise
Very well made and pretty clasp. Thank you for the free gift.
I was scrolling and came upon an extraordinary, extra-long antique rosary with amazing, large black beads. It was pricey, but I could not resist. When it arrived it was clearly worth every penny. Plus, it is an honor to have something from the Rita Okrent collection, legendary in the bead world. It was packed nicely and shipped fast. I'll be back.
