Hand-knotted Amazonite & Silk necklace

A strand of exceptional 6.5mm natural amazonite in the most saturated lagoon blue-green, individually knotted by hand onto silk, then finished with a handmade sterling silver clasp and adjustable paper-link chain.

Each necklace starts as a loose strand of gemstones. I thread and knot every amazonite bead individually, one by one, placing a tiny knot snugly between each stone. The contrasting silk adds little flashes of colour between the amazonite, while the knots keep each gemstone securely in place, reduce friction between them and, should the silk ever break, help prevent the whole strand from scattering.

I chose silk for the way it moves. Soft and fluid, it allows the amazonite to follow the natural contours of the neck and drape across the collarbones, rather than holding the more rigid curve of traditional beading wire. The silk is gently conditioned to help protect it and keep it supple, so the finished necklace moves naturally as you wear it.

The silverwork is handmade too. I form the sterling silver clasp and every individual link of the extension chain by hand in my Manchester studio. At approximately 20" at its longest, the clasp can fasten into any link of the chain, allowing the necklace to sit closer around the neck or fall lower across the collarbones.