Nautical signal flags intentionally use bright, contrasting colors and simple colorblocks to aid visibility in the distance between ships, and the color choices and pattern in this necklace are certainly consistent with the style of maritime communication. Carnelian is a variety of microcrystalline quartz (like agate and chalcedony), meaning that the crystal size is small, leading to translucent rather than transparent gemstones. Iron oxide is responsible for the characteristic deep red-orange color, and this combined with its hardness made it a popular gemstone for signet rings in Roman times. Iolite is the gem quality form of cordierite, a "ring" silicate (like tourmaline) that is a deep, dark blue whose color can appear more or less blue-purple depending on the viewing angle, and this pleochroic property is characteristic of the gemstone. It is most commonly found with gneiss and schists and less often in pegmatites. It's rare to find iolite gemstones without inclusions, and those tend to be quite expensive. The iolite in this necklace has good color and clarity with minor inclusions. The gemstones are secured to an open oval sterling silver chain with hook and eye clasp.

Cost: $146.00 USD

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• Color: orange
• Color: blue purple
• Material: quartz rocks
• Material: gem rainbow
• Type: necklace - mid
• Something Special: unexpected elegance

Length: necklace - 19"

Materials:

• faceted carnelian gemstone beads
• iolite gemstone beads
• sterling silver chain and hook & eye 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. The carnelian gemstones required a narrower beading cord so care should be taken to avoid hard snags and pulls. Clean with warm soapy water and avoid chemical or abrasive cleaners. Use a soft jewelry polishing cloth to clean tarnish appearing on silver.

The narrower beading cord is more suspectible to kinks or breaks with hard, sustained tugging so it's recommended to keep this necklace out of reach. As with all beaded jewelry: do not let young toddlers chew on it.

This 19" necklace works well with most necklines for casual clothing and work attire; it is an awkward length for collared shirts. The bold colors look terrific when paired with a light colored neutral, and the style suits evening wear as easily as day time.