Tanya Lochridge

“Old World” – my first thoughts when I look at this necklace. I love carnelian, perhaps because it has been used in jewelry for years. Many of the glorious Etruscan pieces I drooled over in the Met in NYC included carnelian in their designs. I love how the gemstone just works with gold – especially the matte Florentine-type finish I used in this particular design. Unusually shaped gold-vermeil beads add to the old world intrigue. The fire that comes from the spectacular Czech glass faceted beads adds just the right amount of zip. Three strands give the necklace a significant presence, and the one-inch of the large coin beads really add to the overall strength of the look. This is a powerful necklace for a powerful woman – hey, isn’t that you? The necklace measures about 18” in length and closes with a heavyweight gold vermeil hook-style clasp. A two-inch extender gives you lots of styling options. You know me, I’m not one for wearing matching earrings and a necklace so with this piece I would wear a gold earring, matte or high-polish) with this piece – letting the necklace have center stage, which it deserves. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a carnelian bracelet of some design with it – say, for example, #0494. I designed these pieces at the same time so they are sisters – just not identical twins and look lovely together. From the Tanya Lochridge Jewelry Trunk Show Collection.