A Widow's Accessory

This beautiful collar may have belonged to my father's mother (b. 1879 - d. 1973) or possibly her mother (b. 1853 - d. 1923). Quite beautiful in its intricateness. I was surprised there is so little damage after all these years. Not having expertise, I have often wondered if the beads were regular glass or maybe jet? Not that one would want to wear it often, as a practicality, you could tack it on to a dress, then remove it when the mourning period was over. Old fashioned Yankee thriftiness.