Chelsea Boutique

Based on the popularity of her half-choker multi-strand stone and leather necklaces, Christy Lea Payne has launched a small collection of limited edition longer versions of the popular original style. Made with more precious stones, and handknotted, these pieces also allow for a longer maximum length (34"). The versatility of this necklace is amazing; wear it long so that the leather shows, or as short as 16" with the sterling silver slider cinched to its smallest setting, and let the leather hang down your back.

This particular piece is a stunning combination of freshwater pearls knotted on brown silk with a gorgeous peach drusy stone in an architectural quadrilateral shape. The word "druse" refers to a rock surface (usually a cavity) covered with tiny individual crystals, such as are found inside geodes or in larger pockets of mineral deposits. Gem minerals which exhibit this feature are said to have a drusy crystal "habit." Until about 10 years ago, drusy minerals were little more than a curiosity, of interest to serious mineralogists, but unnoticed by jewelry designers, gem collectors, and the general public. Times have changed! Drusy materials, at first slowly, then with increasing frequency appeared in the work of noted gem carvers and jewelry designers and, as a result, gained space in gem and jewelry publications. We love that this stone can be worn two ways, with the smooth side showing which features shades of ivory and olive, or with the more crystalline, rough cut side, which shimmers with shades of silver.