Stars Galore

The identification of the beads start from the bead in the centre, moving upwards, with measurement for some of the bigger beads, with metal beads named last.

Length: 71 cm (28”)
Weight: 84 gms
A variety of vintage chevron beads (aka ‘star’or ‘rosetta’ beads, from the ‘80s), in different colours and sizes, the largest being approx. 13mm by 11 mm
Tiny green glass spacers
Silver coloured metal tubes from Japan, in two different lengths, 20mm & 30mm
Small grooved metal spacers
Pair of 3mm silver beads at the end
Gold filled crimps tubes
silver toggle clasp.

It had been many years since I looked for old Borneo beads in my hometown Kuching, and when I returned to the shops along the waterfront after the pandemic, I realised, to my dismay, that the supply of old beads had diminished significantly, and what there were, were either very expensive or not in very good condition.

Nevertheless I did find the vintage chevrons from the ‘80s that I use in this necklace (and in some others that will come on to Manik later), and like them for the variety of colours and sizes that they came in. I also did not have this variety of chevrons in my collection of beads.

Chevrons, aka as star or rosetta beads, are glass beads first created by Venetian bead makers in the 15th century, involving an elaborate process of adding layers on to a core and requiring star-shaped moulds. They were highly valued historically and were made for trade by Europeans in Africa. The ones used here are not that valuable, of course, being from the ‘80s (but still collectable) and possibly, aside from the seven big ones, are not ‘real’ chevrons, but chevron simulants, acceptable in the trade. You can see the ‘star’ points at the edges of the big chevrons here. These ones here could have been made in India, or China.

I knew what I wanted to do with this necklace, using the metal lengtheners, but vacillated between a symmetrical and an asymmetrical design, eventually deciding that an asymmetrical approach would make the necklace look confusing. I experimented patiently with the different chevrons to get the colours right, the overall ‘feel’ lively, alternating shorter and longer, fatter and slimmer, playing with proportions. I deliberated over the tiny spacers, trying out first green, then red, then deciding on green eventually. I am happy with this outcome.

I am naming this necklace Stars Galore given that the beads are also known as ‘star beads’. At 71 cm long, you could wear it over a collar, a long shift, on a weekend, certainly, but it would also liven up a more severe weekday outfit! It would work with most colours but would probably have to be monochromatic, or very fine print. Have fun and enjoy!