19th century, Africa
Jewels looks all over Africa for these fabulous shells. Yes you can find a lot of new ones, buffed and treated to look, well, new. These are old, worn and traded, covered with history, the livelihood of generations over the years. They were used as adornment, fitted to the hair and clothing illuminating her nobility. Jewels also collect old chandelier crystals, probably from French households. The cord is our hand woven, finest cord- a labor of love we do in our Marrakech studio. This design is a little art piece. As Jewels has a small collection of each we can make a few: a Jewels’ Standard Limited Edition.
A note about our woven cords. We weave these by hand, every one of them. Like all Jewels’ work no two are exact, as each of us. The work is labor intensive. When warmed to the skin the cord becomes more supple, conforms to the wearer, hangs at it should; the necklace transforms more than just a necklace. It becomes her.