Necklace Details
Amber – Amber is nature’s time capsule, with the oldest specimen dating to 320 million years ago. Amber formed when sap from ancient plants hardened and fossilized, often trapping insects, pine needles, bits of plants, and gas bubbles in its sticky resin. Scientists have identified 1,000 extinct animal species and types of plant matter in Amber. Called the “gold of the North”, the largest Amber deposit in the world is in Russia with additional large reserves on the bed of the Baltic Sea. The Amber Room, a gift given to Russia’s Peter the Great in 1716, was made from 6 tons of Amber; once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World, it was looted during WWII. Today, a reconstructed chamber that took 24 years to complete is housed in the Catherine Palace. While amber isn’t a birthstone, it is associated with the astrological sign of Taurus. NOTE: Amber is a very delicate gemstone and requires special care to prevent scratching or damage.
Pearl (Baroque) – Baroque Pearls are elaborately shaped; these non-round pearls were first used in jewelry during the Baroque Era (1600-1750) hence their name, which also doubles as a reference to the luxuriant art and architecture of the period. The world’s most expensive pearl is Baroque; it weighs 75 pounds and is valued at $100 million. Pearls are associated with the moon, wisdom, and love. Formed when a mollusk slowly coats an irritant with thousands of layers of nacre, the iridescent material responsible for Pearl’s lustrous shine and organic shape, Pearls are the only gem that comes from a living creature. Today, Pearl is one of June’s birthstones and given as 3rd and 30th anniversary gifts.
Swarovski Crystal (Austria) – Swarovski was founded in 1895 following Daniel Swarovski’s invention of the world’s first electric-powered crystal cutting machine and lexicon of crystal cuts that produced a new level of crystal clarity. After viewing the Northern Lights, he partnered with Dior to create his famous Aurora Borealis, or AB, coating, a very thin layer of gold applied to half of a crystal’s facets to create an iridescent, shimmering effect. Today, Swarovski Crystals provide the sparkle for Beyonce and Taylor Swift’s concerts, most notably with 250,000 crystals on Beyonce’s red catsuit (Cowboy Carter Tour) and more than 5,000 on Taylor Swift’s guitar (Eras Tour), now housed at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.
22K Gold Vermeil (India) – 22K gold has a bright yellow hue and balances beauty with strength and resilience. Gold has been revered and coveted since ancient times, worn by royalty, and associated with the divine and sacred. This fine metal has long been connected with alchemy and reminds us of our innate potential for transformation and enlightenment. Gold is given as a 50th anniversary gift.