Right' (genuine) coral beads with a cross

A necklace of natural coral consisting of five strings of beads arranged in the descending order. Fine flat-cut coral beads. A decorative cross made of gold-plated metal attached to the lowest hanging string of beads. This type of ornament was worn by women as part of the festive outfit. Beads made from real coral were very expensive and only available to the richest women. Less wealthy women substituted the natural coral with plastic, glass or red-stained wood.