Stefany's comment on the cord very useful, but I think they were re-strung on this. Recently restrung is possible. Notice the very large knots compensating for large holes in beads but not very well--original necklace could have been on a chain but very likely with spacer beads that are now absent -- perhaps more of the much smaller beads you mention at the end, but do not show.

Since Stefany is doubtless correct that these were made for a specific necklace type, look at how the beads are not all oriented in the same direction (from red/white standpoint), and not symmetrically arranged as to color orientation.

Originally I would bet there was a pendant or some larger beads on center, and the colors were oriented symmetrically as to color-orientation on either side.

The glutenous or oily/waxy appearance also occurs in German-made beads marketed in the USA as 'flames' with white/red, white/orange, white/yellow and a sort of scroddled, slightly lumpy appearance to the marble surface. One of the photos here seems to show this, too. I believe these marbles were made 1930s-1950s. But I haven't seen the 'flame' marbles with goldstone, which occurred more definitely pre- World War II (copper shortage during the war and a few years afterward prevented making the copper-flake embedded glass).

Interesting and pretty beads!

Snap