Joie de Vivre jewelry

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m a r d i   g r a s

Purple, gold and green are traditional colors of Mardi Gras, but I'm saying the bright colors of iolite, chrysoprase and Czeck glass beads are just as festive. Although it's a religious holiday, it has taken on a secular celebration outside religious observance and has come to represent excess and festivity on a grand scale. Two types of iolite beads are used, one a smooth flat teardrop and the other a faceted briolette; the chrysoprase gemstones are a longer graduated strand of smooth teardrops. Iolite is a "ring" silicate like emerald and tourmaline and comparable in hardness to the chrysoprase, which is a microcrystalline quartz like chalcedony and a tectosilicate (structure made of Sally the silica tetrahedra). The distinctive green color arises from the presence of nickel, and it's common to find dark inclusions in good quality chrysoprase. Naturally, the highest grade and most expensive chrysoprase is uniform in color and free of inclusions. Iolite is graded by color and clarity as well, with these gemstones being among the more valuable because of their deep saturated color and nice transparency.

Cost: $154.00 USD

m a k e   i t   a   g i f t   s h i p m e n t :

Looking to ship this item separately as a gift? Gift shipment includes gift boxing and an occasion specific card sent to the recipient via USPS Priority Mail. Fill out the fields below including this jewelry item name, the recipient name and address, and occasion and this item will be sent to the recipient with a card and note. See the gift box section for samples of shipments with different occasion specific cards.

Cost of gift shipment (domestic shipping only): $5.95 USD

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c a t e g o r i e s :

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M a t e r i a l s  &  C a r e 

Length: necklace - 17"

Materials:

  • faceted iolite gemstone briolettes
  • iolite gemstone beads
  • chrysoprase gemstone beads
  • Czech glass beads
  • Japanese glass seedbeads
  • sterling silver beads
  • sterling silver links and S-hook clasp
  • Soft Touch light duty nylon coated stainless steel cord (10 lb. load test)

Care & cleaning: Beading cord may be kinked or broken through hard jerks or severed through prolonged exposure to rough or sharp edges; store necklace flat when not in use to prevent stretching or kinking cord. Clean with warm soapy water and avoid chemical or abrasive cleaners. Use a soft jewelry polishing cloth to clean tarnish appearing on silver.

Although the beading cord is narrower, the tightly clustered gemstones strands will act together to be more robust to tugs and pulls. As with all beaded jewelry: do not let young toddlers chew on it.

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W h a t  t o  W e a r 

This 17" necklace can be worn with a variety of necklines, from high boatnecks to moderate scoop necks and V-necks. With two strands of gemstones, it has greater weight and volume so it may not work under collared shirts, depending on the fit. It will drape nicely over most materials and it is a terrific necklace for a festive evening out.