item jo-a54
price £38
circa 1950/60
I have heard this type of bead called scarabee because they resemble the colours on scarab beetles.  Other names are carnival glass or oil slick beads.  All these names are very descriptive and true to the colouring.  The beads are dark with an aurora borealis coating which indeed looks like oil on water.  The necklace has recently been restrung with a new silver tone bolt ring.  Measures 46cm, the largest bead 1cm