Peacock Biwa Pearl 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 peacock Biwa pearls have the most incredible colors. Their dark, almost black surfaces are alive with iridescent shades of violet, magenta, peacock green, electric blue and flashes of bronze. What I especially love is how the colors change depending on the angle and the light. A pearl that looks deep purple one moment can suddenly reveal a brilliant streak of green or turquoise. The long, irregular stick shapes are fabulous too, with ridges, ripples and wonderfully uneven surfaces that make all that color even more interesting. At nearly an inch long, these are bold pearls with a slightly unconventional look, and the combination of their unusual shapes and metallic luster makes this a particularly striking strand.
The name Biwa originally referred to freshwater pearls cultivated in Japan's Lake Biwa, although it's now widely used in the jewelry trade for elongated, irregular freshwater pearls like these. Their distinctive shapes and beautiful iridescence offer a completely different interpretation of traditional pearl jewelry. Pearls have long been associated with wisdom, prosperity, love and good fortune.
✧ Stone: Peacock Biwa freshwater pearls
✧ Bead Size: Approximately 23mm long × 6.5mm wide
✧ Length: Adjustable from 18–20 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.
