Beautiful necklace! Will it be worn by a man or woman? I think anyone could wear this fine necklace elegantly. I have not heard of the new theory you describe.

I have been waiting for the chance to show this bead, my one pema raka. This came as a very gracious gift from an earnest and sincere eBay seller, for helping her out last summer and this summer with a few bead id's. It was such a pleasure to get to know her a little. I love this fat old bead. I weighed it before stringing, I think it's just under 2 ounces. It's about 30mm x 48mm. I've strung it with uncirculated Conterie white hearts, sprinkled with a few other complimentary Venetian beads - rare little brown 3-layer chevrons, other small star beads and a few turquoise blue white hearts. All early 20th century beads. The 6 strands twist nicely into a short necklace.