I design and string up all the necklaces on Manik, and they are all one-offs. 

The majority of Manik necklaces are strung on good quality 49 strand beading wire (a few lighter ones on 19 strand) for durability and flexibility. They are all finished off with either sterling silver or gold-filled crimp tubes. Each Manik necklace will have a round silver identity disc (with an embossed ‘M’) attached to the clasp for authentication.

Each necklace has a name and each comes under one of four themes: Configurations, Hues, Materiality and States. Other themes may feature later. The Details section tells you about the length and weight of the necklace, as well as the beads and clasp used. There is a Story for each of the necklaces, musings on how I came by the beads in the necklace, or interesting aspects of the beads, or the design process.

The necklaces fall into three lengths – short, from 46 cm (18”) to 51 cm (20”), medium, from 53 cm (21”) to 58 cm (23”) and long, 61 cm (24”) to mostly 69 cm (27”). A few may go up to 76 cm (30”).  
A 46 cm (18”) necklace would sit comfortably at the base of most necks.
A 53 cm (21”) necklace would fall within your decolletage, though where exactly, would depend on your height. 
At 58 cm (23”), the necklace lies above your breast, though it may be higher up or lower down, again depending on your height.  
A 69 cm necklace would lie between your breasts.
There is no right or wrong length for a necklace - it depends on what you feel comfortable with, your personal style. You may also want different lengths for different occasions and with different clothes. The lengths of the Manik necklaces are largely shaped by the design and the beads I use.

A wide range of beads is used in these necklaces, from semi-precious stone beads to vintage or antique glass beads, to contemporary glass beads, wooden beads, to various metal beads (silver, gold-plated silver, brass).

There is a wide range of semi-precious stone beads available in the beads market, although some are more common, more affordable, while others such as turquoise, lapis, malachite etc are more expensive and so on. There are also of course different grades even within the same stone. Sometimes the same semi-precious stone can look quite different depending on where it originated from. 

In these Manik necklaces you will see different varieties of agate, and jasper by various names. I have also used amber, amethyst, aquamarine, aventurine, amazonite, bowenite, carnelian, chrysocolla, chrysoprase citrine, dumortierite, garnet, golden healer, howlite, lapis, lodolite, moonstone, morganite, onyx, pearls, pietersite, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, sardonyx, serpentine, smokey quartz, tourmaline quartz, tiger’s eye, turquoise, zoisite. 
The stones have different characteristics, and it is fascinating to see the endless hues, patterns, inclusions and textures that nature has bestowed on these minerals. But please note that even within the same string of beads, there may be differences and variations in hues and in patterns. There would also be ‘imperfections’ such as the occasional slight pitting, or rougher patches on beads. Sometimes what may appear to be ‘cracks’ on semi-transparent stones are actually the internal profile, and not on the surface.

Most of my semi-precious stone beads purchased in Singapore are mainly from two very reliable shops, and Mr L, one of the dealers, is also very knowledgeable. When I do shop for semi-precious stones abroad, I also only do so in reputable shops and only if I am certain of the quality of the stones.

There is also a dazzling range of glass beads from around the world, and you will also see some of these in Manik necklaces, from artisanal contemporary glass beads to pre-World War II purple Czech glass feather beads in Symmetry to ‘80s star beads in Stars Galore, with more to come. Some are vintage (at least twenty years old), while others are antique (more than a hundred years old). 

You will also find metal beads in a lot of the Manik necklaces. I mostly use silver beads in the semi-precious stone necklaces, and they come from Thailand, Bali, Nepal. China, and elsewhere. Many of these beads have a high silver content, generally so acknowledged in the industry and are sold by weight. In the case of the Karen silver beads the silver content may be as high as 98%. Note however that not all silver beads are highly polished, or elaborately worked (like the Balinese silver beads). I also use some 18k gold-plated silver beads, as well as 18k gold-plated brass beads. Other metal beads are also used, as are some Italian metallised plastic beads, bought in the ‘90s.

I use a variety of clasps - box clasps, lobster clasps, trigger clasps, toggle clasps and  hook and ring clasps although I favour toggle clasps more. Most of the clasps used are either silver, or gold-plated silver. The non-silver metal clasps are also of good quality and similar to ones that I have used in necklaces in my personal collection over the years. The particular clasp I choose is often dictated by the design of the necklace, and often, its weight.