Hand-knotted Amazonite & Silk necklace

A strand of beautiful 6.5mm, natural lagoon blue amazonite. Each bead is individually knotted by hand onto natural silk, then finished with a handmade sterling silver clasp and adjustable paper-link chain.

I thread and knot each bead individually, one by one, placing a tiny knot snugly between each stone. The contrasting silk adds flashes of colour between the amazonite, while the knots keep each gemstone securely in place, reducing friction between them, preserving their durability.

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 silver work is handmade. I form the sterling silver clasp and every individual link of the extension chain by hand in my Manchester studio. At approximately 20cm 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.