Turquoise, Sea Bamboo and Copper Necklace

Bright copper mixes with ivory sea bamboo and turquoise nuggets in this striking tribal-inspired necklace. This is a truly beautiful piece; I debated for a long time before deciding to list it.

The turquoise is stabilized and probably Chinese, but it is real turquoise. Sea bamboo is a natural material from a sea-living organism; I have been unable to determine if it is a true coral or a variety of kelp. I suspect this sea bamboo may have been bleached. The copper beads are pure copper, and I believe Balinese. This necklace is finished with a copper clasp and is roughly 20 inches long. Because of the large holes in the copper beads, this necklace is strung on beading wire rather than silk.

Disclosure: When the necklace is laying flat, some of the beading wire shows through, but it is invisible when worn. Please note that the display mannequin in the photo is about half-human scale; the necklace has been draped around the back of the mannequin to simulate how the necklace would hang. Please refer to the other photos for a picture of the entire necklace and an indication of scale. Copper is not hypoallergenic and those prone to skin irritation should consider one of my pieces using sterling silver or vermeil findings. Like all of my jewelry, this necklace is not intended for use by persons under 13.

About the Stones:

Turquoise is hydrated copper aluminum phosphate, and is usually found in association with copper. This blue to green stone (and the origin of the color word, “turquoise”) was one of the first stones to be mined by ancient peoples. The oldest pieces of jewelry set with this gem are four bracelets found on the mummified arm of Queen Zar. She ruled in Egypt about 5500 BC.

Turquoise has taken on profound meaning in every culture it has touched with its sky-blue color. In the Middle East it was believed to foretell danger by changing color. In the Far East, it was said to bring wisdom and wealth. Some Native Americans believe it is a bridge to the spirit world. In Tibet, turquoise symbolizes the cycle of life, because over a long period of time, untreated turquoise can change color from bright and lively green and blue to dark brown and black, representing the life cycle of birth, old age and death. Both Native Americans and Tibetans believe that turquoise offers protection from falling to horseback riders.

Sea Bamboo may or may not be a true coral. It is the skeleton of a marine organism, but I have been unable to determine whether it is an animal (coral) or a plant (kelp). In either case, it is often sold as “coral” and is considered to have many of the same properties in folklore. In folklore, coral protects children from harm, sailors from bad weather and wards off misfortune.