Smoke & Ice (NEW)
This necklace explores contrast through texture, form and subtle shifts of light with the interplay between the soft shadowy depth of smokey quartz and the clear luminosity of rock crystal lending the piece a striking presence, with Afghan silver medallion beads adding a sense of understated drama. It will appeal to those who appreciate distinctive details and a more understated palette. For more info on the necklace, please click on Details, and if interested in my musings, please go to Story.
The identification of the beads starts from the bead in the centre, moving upwards, with measurement for some of the bigger beads, with metal beads named last.
Length: 53 cm (21”) Weight: 155 gm
Smokey quartz: variation in sizes - centrepiece: 32mm long and 18mm at the widest
Oblate rock crystal nuggets: variation in sizes but approx..19 mm long, and 22 mm wide
Gold plated silver spacers: 2.5mm and 3mm
Silver medallions: 24mm long, and 21mm across
Gold filled crimp tubes
Gold plated silver toggle clasp
Silver Manik identity disc
I love rock crystal, and have a tub of them, collected over the years, in different shapes, mostly in larger sizes because well, I love them big and bold!
I am also drawn to smokey quartz, partly because of the name, and because the semi-opacity of the stone lends it a mysterious air. For a long time however, I was rather at a loss as to how to design with the smokey quartz to bring out its best.
Last year, a girlfriend who also loves beads and necklaces passed me her large round, micro- faceted smokey quartz beads to design a necklace with, for her, and after playing around with the beads, I hit on pairing it with the rock crystal - it was a winner!
So, I am repeating this success for Manik, though the design is quite different. This necklace explores contrast through texture, form and light. Smokey quartz and rock crystal in varied forms and silhouettes alternate in a considered rhythm, creating movement and visual interest throughout the necklace. The interplay between the soft shadowy depth of smokey quartz and the clear luminosity of rock crystal lends the piece a quietly striking presence, while Afghan silver medallion beads evoke character and a sense of understated drama.
For someone drawn to pieces with contrast and depth, Smoke and Ice, as I have named it, offers a balance of strength and refinement. It will appeal to those who appreciate distinctive details and a more understated palette, where interest comes from texture, form and subtle shifts of light.
I particularly like how the light catches and flashes on the multifaceted surfaces of both the rock crystal and the smokey quartz, and this necklace can look great on bare skin, or pastels and lighter colours.
