Deep Purple Lepidolite Necklace has a Bold Sterling Silver Focal Bead (PUR-007)
The Lepidolite stones Miriam used for this necklace are a dark purple to purple-gray with subtle colorations of deep lilac. Miriam chose to accent this stunning Lepidolite necklace with a lavishly textured handwrought Antiqued Sterling Silver focal bead set off-center to add interest. You can wear the necklace with the focal on the right or left side. Large Sterling Silver Saucers and small purple chalcedony beads add contrast and variety to this highly textured and tactile piece of jewelry.It really does have a touchy-feely look!
- Like so many of Miriam’s designs, this necklace makes a bold statement--and it’s heavy, weighing in at more than one-half pound.
- Full length of the necklace 20.5 inches.
- The Round Lepidolite stones are 20mm.
- The Antiqued Sterling Silver textured focal bead is rectangular and has gently curved concave sides (see photo close-up). It measures 21.1x25mm.
- The two Sterling Silver saucer beads are 14mm in diameter and 8mm thick.
- Two Sterling Silver saucer beads (6.5mm) attach to the textured Sterling Silver Clasp.
- The two purple Chalcedony rondelles are 6mm.
- The necklace is strung on a sturdy but flexible 0.024, 49-strand stainless steel wire that is nylon coated.
The natural surface of Lepidolite is lustrous and looks and feels faceted, but it's not. The “facets” are natural, flake-like layers that are the hallmark of Lepidolite—which is how this stone got its name. In fact, Lepidoliteis not actually a “stone,” but a type of mica, lithium mica to be exact. Mica is from the Latin “Mico” meaning “to glimmer.” And, yes, it is the same mica that is ground into a fine powder and used to create colorful, sparkly eye shadows. The name “Lepidolite” comes from the Greek word lepidos, meaning scale. It is the flakes of lithium that give Lepidoliteits faceted appearance. It also is known for having a natural lustrous finish, which shows beautifully in the sunlight. (The close-up photos show the facet-like layers of hexagonal plates on the surfaces of these beautiful stones. They truly do gleam in the sunlight!). Lepidolite ranges from pink to purple, to salmon and even yellow. It can be pale pink, a purplish or reddish-pink, deep lilac or dark purple, light gray, and a pretty salmon, or even a bright yellow—some with inclusions ranging from pale to bright yellow to dark green. Common sources of Lepidolite include Brazil, Russia (Transbaikalia, Malkhan and Ural Mountains), the USA, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, Japan, Zimbabwe (known for the lilac variety of Lepidolite), and Madagascar. Namibia (Africa) and Itinga, Brazil are known for rare, stunning and vivid yellow varieties of Lepidolite. (Note: Miriam’s private stone collection includes two gorgeous examples of salmon-colored Lepidolite that have vivid yellow elements—and may be from one of those locations. She used one of these strikingly gorgeous stones as a pendant shown in the Yellowtones section of this website.)