Cupid is an unusual and stunning necklace. Unusual in the techniques I used to create it, and stunning in the bead material. Cupid is composed of brown rutilated quartz beads and embellished with hand-crafted sterling silver beads. The hearts of the beads and clasp are made from laminated material; I prepared this material myself. Lamination is a technique whereby different non-ferrous metals, in this case, sterling silver, brass and copper, are mixed together in wire form, soldered together, and then rolled out in a sheet. This sheet can then be used like other sheet metal, here I cut out hearts, hence the name of this piece, Cupid. The earrings I fashioned for this necklace I called Psyche. As a voracious young reader, I devoured books on Greek mythology.

Cupid is strung on silk and measures 23 inches (584 mm.) in length. To open the clasp, you press down on the citrine and then gently pull out the stem. This clasp is called a friction clasp, and I think you can understand why. In addition, this necklace is asymmetrical — the clasp is to be seen. There are 11 rutilated beads that make up what we call the swing, and those beads should be at the bottom of the necklace when wearing it.

Size: 23 inches (584 mm.)

Price: Sold