My significant other took one look at this necklace and pronounced that it looked like a grapevine. Although the nephrite jade pendant may not be shaped like a grape leaf, the tiger iron bamboo beads resemble vines, and the shimmery, purple-brown rutilated quartz beads are dead ringers for ripe grapes. Copper beads from Bali accent the dark colors of the quartz, tiger iron and nephrite, bringing these greens and browns into sharp relief.
The pendant is nephrite jade, with a hand-wrapped copper bail (I purchased the pendant; the bail is my own work). The clasp is solid copper and crafted in Bali. This one-of-a-kind necklace is hand-knotted on brown silk. The leaf pendant is approximately 2 inches long, and the necklace is approximately 24 inches, including the clasp. The rutilated quartz beads are roughly 12mm. This is a long necklace, best worn over a shirt rather than inside the collar.
Disclosure: 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 silk knotted necklaces, care should be taken not to get this necklace wet, and it should be stored flat: silk will stretch over time. Like all of my jewelry, this necklace is not intended for use by persons under 13.
About the stones:
Many different stones are referred to as “jade,” but only two, jadeite and nephrite, are considered to be “true” jade. Jadeite is sodium aluminum silicate, and is usually green or mottled green and white. In addition, yellow, red, lavender, blue, brown, white and black jadeite are known to occur. Nephrite is calcium magnesium iron silicate and ranges from dark green to creamy white.
In Chinese tradition, jade symbolized the five virtues of humanity: wisdom, compassion, justice, modesty and courage. It is also considered a heavenly stone, and brings luck, longevity and wealth
Rutilated quartz is clear quartz included with hair-like rutile (titanium dioxide).
Tiger Iron is Tiger eye in an iron rich matrix. Tiger eye is a member of the quartz family, comprised of silicon dioxide (quartz) heavily included with croicidolite, an iron and sodium mineral otherwise known as asbestos. Croicidolite is naturally blue green, and it often dissolves out of the tiger’s eye, leaving iron oxide behind and resulting in gold or reddish tiger’s eye. Blue tiger’s eye or hawks-eye occurs when some croicidolite remains. Tiger iron is tiger eye in iron-rich matrix. For some fascinating background on tiger eye, check out this article: http://technology.infomine.com/articles/1/210/gem.tiger.eye/tigers-eye.yesterdays.diamond.aspx.
