Found, but lost

[Digaddict]

Recently found these while clearing land w tractor. Due to size of trees that was being removed I feel safe to say these have been underground for more than 40yrs. They appeared to have been stored in a old tin cake box, the way in was pretty much rusted away. Approximately 300 or more of these necklaces, in bundles of 10-20 secured together with bread ties. Took one to local jeweler, tested....not gold or silver.
They wont respond to a magnet or if they do it's not enough metallic response to even pick one necklace up. That's using a strong magnet.
The necklaces don't have a clasp on them, approx 20" long
There was a few necklaces that did have a jewelry clasp but each one of those necklaces a rusted, responds to magnet and are of no value.
These necklaces have been underground unprotected and came out shining.
I'm lost as to what type of metal these are and more so the use for so many without clasp. Any help with ways to identify this metal will be appreciated.

 

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[d2]

That is neat!! I have no idea as to the metal type. Maybe they were carnival prizes or something like that...d2

 

[Digaddict]

d2, I would be thinking the same thing. However a yr ago, less than a 1/2mi thru this same track of land I found a vintage diamond ring that consisted of 3.5carat in diamonds and 12carat in gold weight. Thats the olny thing that makes me want to believe there is more to these than just tokens.

 

[s2ndjetli]

Welcome aboard Dig, I think the history of the location may offer you some clues to your answer. Necklaces range from tin, lead, cadmium, bismuth, along with Rhodium WHICH DOESNT TARNISH, cleans up very well. Dont forget zinc , now this is outside the range of gold and sliver...I bet that field has a cool story and may lead to your treasure finds.. great find.

 

[Digaddict]

Thanks for the input. Gonna continue to search for answers. Will keep y'all updated. Again any and all help on this is appreciated.

 

[HuntinDog]

Are lightweight for their size...?
If so I would sat aluminum.

 

[zombieraccoon]

Look like nickel, if you hang one from your finger, and bring it really close to a strong magnet, see if it pulls at all, a very slight pull is an indication of nickel. It won't be enough to pick them up, but would attract very slightly.

 

[BIGSCOTT]

Yes there is definitly some sort of history to that tract of land.

as asked above how much do they weigh?

being chains you could do a displacement test, clean afew of them up, drop enough in a
beaker till they displace a certain amount of water 1 ml. = 1cc. - 10 ml. = 10cc.'s ect.
then dry them off and weigh them and check your ratio with a periodic table,
of course this wont give you an exact match if they are alloy - two or more metals mixed together
but it will get you in the ballpark.

I'll bet it's an old fairgrounds, or rodeo grounds or something of that nature.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

. . . secured together with bread ties.

That would mean no older than 1939. ;-)

The original twist tie was invented by the California based packaging company T and T Industries, Inc. It was patented in 1939 and marketed as the Twist-Ems - widely used for closing bread bags other packages that needed to have twist ties for closing and reuse.

 

[HuntinDog]

Another option is Stainless Steel.
High grades of stainless are not magnetic and don't rust.

 

[BIGSCOTT]

yeah thats always the most fun part uncovering the history a little at a time.

for some reason im starting to think chain mail clothing, and maybe a gypsy camp.

 

[zombieraccoon]

for some reason im starting to think chain mail clothing, and maybe a gypsy camp.

Those would be round links usually done by hand, these are machine made links with the channels in them like that.