This is not a necklace. This is a procession.
At the crown of the pendant, a pearl has been hand carved into a white skull, its surface luminous and smooth, with faceted black spinel set deep into the eye sockets, dark and glittering like secrets kept for centuries, and below the skull, a faceted red garnet bead. Atop the skull sits a crown set with three faceted hessonite garnets, deep and warm as embers, because some skulls were always meant to reign. Suspended below the crowned skull, real cicada wings, those ancient symbols of resurrection, immortality, and the courage to emerge transformed, have been encased in glass using archival resin and backed with 24 karat gold, preserving their gossamer delicacy for generations to come. Dangling from the wings, a star rutalite has been prong set to show every angle of its extraordinary, light-scattering brilliance, a stone so alive with movement it seems to breathe. The entire pendant, measuring approximately 3 inches long and 2.25 inches wide, is jointed and moves with you, every step a shimmer, every turn a revelation. It hangs from an 18 inch oxidized sterling silver chain strung with beads of rutile quartz, carnelian, opals, and garnet, each stone chosen for its depth and warmth, secured with a lobster claw clasp. The oxidized settings deepen the drama, pulling shadow into every curve and crevice, making the light that does escape feel earned. This is adornment for the woman who understands that transformation is the most beautiful thing a person can wear.