Soviet turquoise beads

Soviet turquoise beads
Excellent condition

About this piece

This distinctive necklace strings chunky, hand-cut turquoise chip beads in bright cyan-blue, strung on a knotted cord with a simple loop-and-toggle fastening. The irregular, angular cut of each bead is characteristic of Soviet-era costume jewellery, where natural stone was worked with robust charm rather than fine precision. The stones show the warm patina of age and handling, with no chips or cracks visible.

Turquoise has long held symbolic weight in Soviet and Central Asian craft traditions, and pieces like this were popular as everyday wear and export items throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. The necklace sits comfortably at a relaxed length and works equally well worn alone or layered. To care for it, avoid prolonged water exposure and store away from direct sunlight, which can gradually fade turquoise’s vivid blue.