The strand on the left is a repurposed multi-strand necklace of green Czech glass beads. The next green necklace is as-found. It's a continuous strand, no clasp. I often wonder if these are vintage 'Mardi Gras' beads...??? The one on the right is a recent purchase. I simply liked the soft orange color, but when I looked more closely, it sort of looks like it might be a simple imitation of coral.

The multi-strand necklace is something I picked up in a junk shop a few years ago. The beads are plastic, but I really liked the color and design of the beads.

Recently, I purchased a few huge faceted beads in soft jade, turquoise and coral colors at Legendary Beads, here in Santa Rosa, CA, a store recommended to me by Jamey Allen soon after I moved here. When I put them next to the vintage plastic necklace, I was amazed how like the colors were. (I don't know why I think the big beads are Red Creek Jasper. All the labels fell off in the big move.) (Correction: I think it's really Blue Rainbow Jasper.)

Next to the big faceted beads are a few large beads I bought ages ago. I can't even remember where. Nobody knew what they were. The colors remind me a little of these other beads, so here they go into the shot. The smallest is a beautiful soft grey-green color. These were very popular about a decade or so ago, and I always saw them referred to as 'riverstone'. But what's called riverstone now, is nothing like. I think I asked Russ Nobbs about both of these years ago, but now I can't remember what he said, or if he needed to see them in person to make a valid guess. I keep my eye out for the old green 'riverstone', but haven't seen any for years. I finally made my own out of polymer clay.

I bought these recently at a Rings 'n' Things road show. It was the only strand available. I've never heard of lizardite, but it's a pretty and interesting stone. I meant to ask Russ Nobbs about them. It was a trip down memory lane, finding all these mystery stones and remembering Russ's input and information. I miss him.

I would also think those three strands are Czech glass. They are pretty good at copying stones, and when in mixed strands, it can be pretty hard to tell.