Five shell pendants in fine gold-plated brass, with a mother-of-pearl bead nestled inside each one as if it were the most natural thing in the world. This is a bracelet that holds onto something of the light of August, salt on the skin, and shells picked up with fingertips. It can be worn alone, very fine on the wrist, or layered with other chains.
A delicate piece of jewelry, like a summer memory you keep on your wrist until September.
Tools needed: flat-nose pliers, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, measuring tape
Wrap the measuring tape around your wrist, with the measurement snug against the skin. Do not add any ease: the lobster clasp and extension chain will take care of that. Cut the chiseled oval-link chain to this exact length with wire cutters.
Thread a 3 mm mother-of-pearl bead onto a flat-head pin. Then add the shell pendant: the bead fits into the hollow of the shell. Trim the stem to about 8 mm above the pendant, then form a loop with round-nose pliers. Repeat the process until you have five identical pendants.
Fold the chain in half to locate its center link. Open the loop of the first pendant with a sideways motion, slide it into this link, then close it. Then count three links and attach the next pendant to the fourth. Continue on both sides, symmetrically, until all five shells are in place.
Open a 3 x 2.4 mm oval ring with a sideways motion, slip it through the last link at one end, then through the clasp ring, and close it. At the other end, attach a second oval ring in the same way with 4 to 5 cm of extension chain.
For a perfectly fitted bracelet, measure your wrist with the measuring tape held snugly against the skin, with no extra margin. The lobster clasp and extension chain naturally provide the necessary ease. It's the little precaution that avoids a bracelet that's too loose, one that twists and hides the shells under the wrist.
Replace the mother-of-pearl beads with amazonite: the blue-green wakes up the gold and gives the bracelet a bolder, even more summery look. The same assembly is also available as a necklace, on a longer chain and with seven or nine shells. And worn in multiples, layered with a plain fine chain, it immediately takes on the look of vacation jewelry that you never want to take off.
Mother-of-pearl — softness, calm, and connection to water.
To be reserved alone or with friends!
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