This necklace features the classic combination of turquoise and coral, combined with bright hammered copper and earthy picture jasper. The hand-carved pendant is sculpted from a single piece of jasper, and features a carp curled around the bottom of the stone. It is hand-knotted on tan silk and finished with a copper toggle clasp.
The pendant is about an inch and a half long and was hand-carved, though not by me, from a single piece of jasper. I think it is Red River jasper, but I’m not certain. The hammered copper beads, clasp and fancy bail are all solid copper. The beads and clasp are, I believe, from Bali. The turquoise is stabilized and imported from China. The coral is sponge coral: probably dyed and definitely stablized. This necklace is roughly 18.5 inches long.
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 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.
Jasper is a form of quartz (silicon dioxide) and is a member of the chalcedony family. Jasper is an opaque and fine grained stone and comes in a rainbow of patterns and colors. It is a hard, with a Mohs hardness of 7.
Coral is not a stone, but is rather the skeletal remains of small marine animals related to jellyfish, who build homes for themselves from calcium carbonate. Coral fossilizes well, as the calcium carbonate is replaced by agate and fossil coral beads show intricate, delicate patterns.
