Pre-Columbian Gemstone Necklaces

Room 12, Vitrine 146

Metal, stone
Peruvian Northern Coast
1250 BC – 800 AD
ML100264-ML100277, ML301350-ML301372

From very early times, ancient Peruvians valued gemstones such as chrysocolla, turquoise, sodalite, lapis lazuli, quartz and amethyst. They used them to make beads of varying sizes for necklaces and bracelets which in some cases were combined with copper and silver beads. These personal adornments were as important as those made from precious metals and exotic seashells.