Lot #1010: .925 Retired SILPADA N1729 Abalone Shell & Mixed Metal Beaded Necklace - Sterling Silver

Beautiful, highly collectible genuine retired Silpada design (Item #N1729). Known for its gorgeous earthy, bohemian-coastal aesthetic, this single-strand piece seamlessly blends rich textures and colors. The necklace features premium flat-cut, rectangular natural abalone shell beads that offer an incredible, shifting iridescent shimmer in shades of green, blue, pink, and silver. The shells are meticulously interspersed with a warm variety of textured brass spacer disks, accent accents, and bronze-toned seed beads.The piece terminates with a polished .925 sterling silver lobster clasp and an extender chain, allowing for multiple styling options. Silpada designs are highly sought after by collectors because the brand historically favored heavy, artisan-crafted multi-media designs using real gemstones, natural shells, and solid sterling silver. Pieces with item numbers starting with "N" signify older, highly desired catalog items. Because this specific style (N1729) is retired and long out of production, finding examples where the abalone shells remain intact and the brass elements retain their luster is becoming increasingly difficult. Silpada Designs was founded in 1997 by girlfriends Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh in Kansas City. Their vision was to create high-quality, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry sold through a home-party business model. Silpada jewelry became distinct for its unique "boutique" look, combining traditional Southwestern silverwork with global artisan flair. Although the original company structure evolved and changed hands over the years, the older, vintage-era pieces remain the holy grail for collectors who value the original craftsmanship and distinct mixed-metal combinations. Pickup category timeslot {A}