Ancient glass beads Sri Lanka

This wonderful strand of ancient glass beads originated from the gem gravels of southern and eastern Sri Lanka . Locally known as Mukaru which means treasures of the ancients these beads are only occasionally found by gemstone miners . local folk law believes they were offerings to the spirits for luck in mining and were thrown in to old mines . We purchased these beads in the gem markets of Ratnapura and Okymputiyah whilst working in Sri Lanka between 1998 and 2005 individually or in small lots . The strand has ancient colar beads and other antique beads from ancient Greece , Rome,  China , Thailand , Burma , Indonesia as well as locally made Sri Lankan beads . Total of 49 beads including two small gold beads , sterling silver clasp