Iolite Faceted Oval 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.

These iolites are something special. I purchased them more than 15 years ago, and I haven't come across another lot quite like them since. They're exceptionally clean, with very few visible inclusions, beautifully cut facets, and a gorgeous, consistent violet-blue color. That consistency is particularly impressive with iolite, a gemstone known for showing different colors depending on the direction it's viewed. It takes a skilled cutter who really understands the material to bring out this kind of color throughout a strand. The elongated faceted ovals are knotted on bright blue silk, a beautiful complement to the cool violet tones of the stones.

Iolite gets its name from the Greek word ios, meaning violet. It's also known as cordierite and is prized for its remarkable pleochroism, the ability to display different colors when viewed from different directions. In traditional crystal lore, iolite is associated with intuition, clarity, self-discovery and finding one's direction.

✧ Stone: Iolite
✧ Bead Size: Approximately 7 × 10mm faceted ovals
✧ Length: Adjustable from 16–20 inches with a sterling silver extension chain
✧ Thread: Hand-knotted on blue silk
✧ Closure: Sterling silver lobster claw clasp with extension chain
✧ Metal: Sterling silver

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