Dainty 1940s (or earlier) deco style, vermeil and paste, link bracelet .

 The bracelet is comprised of six open oval links with bezel set amethyst paste stones. It has a fold over clasp and is sterling silver with a heavy gold filled overlay. The clasp is stamped 1/20th 12K GF on Sterling and the word Sturdy . I believe thats the makers name but I've never seen this mark before. A  colleague of mine Linn, of Linn's Collection, from the Vintage Fasion Guild looked up the name for me and found other 1940s jewelry with the same mark. The gold has a sight rose cast to it, very pretty with the amethyst/paste stones. According to Linn "1/20th 10 and 12 kt. gold-filled plating over Sterling was a result of the WWII restrictions on base metals. Rose gold was a popular finish in the '40's".  Amethyst has always  been a popular stone. In Victorian times just prior to the 20s, the amethyst symbolized devotion. it was also used along with peridot in Suffrage jewelry.

According to my Thames and Hudson, Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, paste is the true name for glass used to simulate real gems. When I looked up rhinestone to see what the difference was, they said that true rhinestones are rock crystal not glass and that the term is widely misused.... Well, I'm not about to try and correct the rest of the world for "mis-using" the word rhinestone but I do like the word paste when I describe older jewelry. It has such a nice nostalgic sound, don't you agree?

.... no matter what words we use this is a lovely vintage bracelet in beautiful condition. Some of the stones show slight wear but there are no cracks.... the gold finish is still bright. It's a good size measuring 7 1/4" and can be made smaller by removing a link. If you do have it sized have a proffesional jeweler do it and make sure you ask them to save all of the parts for you. They could come in handy some day, should the bracelet ever need repair.