Rare Andesine “Red Labradorite” Hand-Knotted Strand Necklace in Sterling Silver

There’s an undeniably sensuous allure to a hand-knotted strand of gemstones. Each bead moves with a liquid grace, the silk thread giving the necklace a supple drape against the skin. In the hand, they’re a joy to roll between your fingers, smooth and rhythmic with just the right weight. It’s a tactile pleasure, flexible and deeply satisfying. I adore layering these strands, playing with different stones, colors, and lengths, but they’re just as beautiful worn alone. Each one is knotted on silk thread chosen to complement the stones.

Andesine is a rare feldspar gemstone sometimes sold as red labradorite, which gives a better idea of where it sits in the gemstone world. It belongs to the same plagioclase feldspar family as labradorite, but instead of the familiar gray stone with flashes of blue and green, this material has an incredible warm palette of dusty rose, peach, cinnamon and deep rusty red. This strand has beautiful translucency and natural shifts in color, with some stones appearing almost crystalline and others richer and more saturated. The faceting really shows it off, catching the light through all of those warm layers of color.

Andesine only began appearing prominently in the gem market in the early 2000s, so it doesn't have the name recognition of many traditional gemstones. That relative obscurity is part of what makes it so interesting. Fine red andesine remains an unusual material to encounter in jewelry, and finding it as a full strand of beautifully matched faceted beads is even less common. In crystal lore, andesine is associated with strength, balance, creativity and confidence.

✧ Stone: Andesine, sometimes known in the gem trade as red labradorite
✧ Bead Size: Approximately 6mm faceted rondelles
✧ Length: Adjustable from 18–18 inches with a 2-inch sterling silver extension chain
✧ Thread: Hand-knotted on silk in a coordinating hue
✧ Closure: Sterling silver lobster claw clasp with 2-inch extension chain
✧ Metal: Sterling silver

One-of-a-kind and made with care in my studio.