Ancient Coin!

Not too long ago, Jane Perala of Jane Perala Designs had this gorgeous set of beads for sale. The luscious red centerpiece caught my eye and I had to have it. 

Photograph from Jane Perala Designs

They truly are beautiful beads, and I want to share what I made with them...

I have added to her lampwork beads - two large jet black Swarovski rondelles, gold-filled wafers as spacers, and red velvet glass rondelles. The necklace and the smaller black spacer beads are natural jet rondelles. I was looking for a substantial opulent clasp and used the gold-plated Tierra-Cast Pewter Radiant toggle.

I thought natural jet was an appropriate choice to accompany this magnificent Ancient Coin, because it was black and it too is ancient. Natural Jet is actually the product of high pressure decomposition of wood from millions of years ago. It is lightweight, of course like wood, and easily carved and polished. Historians and archaeologists have traced jewelry from Jet back to ancient times. More recently, Queen Victoria made it popular by incorporating it into her mourning clothes and jewelry, when she was mourning the death of her husband, Prince Albert. It was also popular for making into rosaries for European monks. In the USA it became popular during the roaring 20s, for use in the familiar long flapper necklaces.

I attached the main bead to the necklace with black leather, and more black and red rondelles dangling from the pendant. 

I so love how it turned out, I ordered more ancient coins from the talented Miss Jane Perala...