Along the Nile: Carnelian

Natural Carnelian Strand Necklace

Some colors seem to hold their own light.

Along the Nile: Carnelian is a long, fluid strand of natural carnelian in warm shades of ember, rust, honey, and translucent red-orange, punctuated by smaller faceted stones and flashes of gold.

Carnelian was beloved across the ancient world, and ancient Egypt was no exception. Its colors range naturally from pale orange through rich reddish brown, sometimes glowing almost from within when light passes through the stone. Egyptian craftspeople used carnelian for beads, amulets, inlay, and jewelry, setting its warmth alongside the blues and blue-greens of lapis lazuli and turquoise.

Here, I wanted carnelian to have the stage almost entirely to itself.

The variation within the natural stone becomes the decoration: some beads are brighter and more translucent, while others are deeper and earthier. Gold-plated brass spacers punctuate the strand without interrupting that progression of warm color.

At approximately 25 inches long, Carnelian is the longest necklace in the Along the Nile series. Worn alone, it creates an easy, elongated line. Layered with the other three necklaces, it becomes the final descending strand, anchoring the blues, turquoise, gold, and red above it.

A 1.5-inch extender provides additional flexibility in positioning the necklace.

Designed to Wear Together

The Along the Nile necklaces were designed as part of the larger Ancient Egypt series, sharing their colors, materials, and visual language with the lotus earrings, beaded bracelets, and other pieces throughout the collection.

The four necklaces were also intentionally designed at different lengths: Mosaic at 17 inches, Lapis at 17.5, Polychrome at 20, and Carnelian at 25. Together, they descend naturally across the neck and collarbone rather than crowding one another.

Wear Carnelian alone. Pair it with a bracelet or lotus earrings. Build a pair of necklaces. Mix stones, colors, and forms. Or gather the entire palette together.

The pieces are meant to be mixed, layered, and made your own.

Details

• Natural carnelian
• Natural variations of orange, red, rust, and honey tones
• Tubular, polished, and faceted gemstone beads in varied sizes
• Gold-plated brass spacer beads
• 14kt gold-filled lobster clasp
• Approximately 25 inches long
• 1.5-inch extender
• Designed to coordinate with the Along the Nile necklaces and other Ancient Egypt-inspired pieces
• Handcrafted in Colorado
• One of a kind

Continue Your Journey

Step into the Hall of Ancient Civilizations and enter the painted world of Queen Nefertari's tomb. In Beneath an Eternal Sky, discover how color helped ancient Egyptian artists speak of life, protection, transformation, divinity, and eternity, and why the colors surrounding the dead could be filled with ideas about life.

Enter the Exhibit →