This amber is Baltic, and it is often called the real amber. There are other ambers from other places, but Baltic amber is the most available. Amber is fossilized tree resin—not sap which circulates through a tree’s vascular system—but resin which is secreted through canals in the epithelial cells of a pine tree. The real delight of amber is when bugs and plant material are captured in its resin and fossilize inside the amber. The thrill of amber is that these pieces could be 40 million years old.
The Necklace
Tibetan centerpieces are my most favorite to collect.
They always feature a large-sized stone bezeled onto a piece of silver or bronze which is richly engraved and decorated with a classic Asian animal. When I choose a Tibetan piece for a necklace, I invariably use matching beads strung fairly simply. And I try to find a creative clasp solution for the back of the necklace.
This necklace follows the pattern described above.
The Centerpiece
The centerpiece amber has interesting if indistinct inclusions.
The animal featured above it is a goose which the Asian culture loves because a migratory bird never fails to return. They also mate for life. Both themes signify longevity and constancy.
Notice also on the back of the centerpiece the image of a deer, much beloved in Tibetan Buddhism as well as in Tibetan folklore and legends based on themes of longevity.
I love how the deer is resting on a regal floral vine beautifully carved in brass.
The clasp
From the philosophical grounding of longevity themes, lift your eyes, dear reader, to the whimsical background of the clasp: in its prior life in the 1960’s, this chunk of amber was a cufflink! My friend Betty gave me a bag of broken and out-of-favor jewelry (I love it when friends do that!) with several amber cufflinks I treasured. Here it is, upcycled! Check out the inclusions.
Details
This necklace is 24” long; the centerpiece is 2.5” long; matching earrings are included. $99.
awesome, sounds like it should be more valuable. md
Hi P,
Beautiful necklace and fascinating piece on amber and the pendant! So fun to see your work and learn about gems and the symbolism in the pendants
Hope you’re well and enjoying spring. It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve had some beautiful days. The fields and mountains are so green it’s magical and Majestic. Currently it’s raining cats and dogs, but will only make for a lusher landscape.
Loves, Susie
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Beautiful!
I owe you a phone call. John was here for long mem day wknd. And….. I got sick. I guess I was long overdue. The weather was monsoon-y, so we didn’t accomplish a lot. We’ll catch up…. I’ll call maybe tomorrow a.m.?
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Another awesome piece!!
G. McDonald Sent from my iPad
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