Along the Nile: Lapis

Lapis Lazuli & Turquoise Strand Necklace

There are blues that decorate, and then there are blues that have traveled across civilizations.

Along the Nile: Lapis is built around natural, undyed lapis lazuli, its deep ultramarine blue interrupted by flashes of turquoise and warm gold. Long polished lapis beads create the necklace's architectural rhythm, while smaller stones and gold-plated brass spacers give the strand movement and detail.

For the ancient Egyptians, lapis lazuli was precious enough to travel an astonishing distance.

The stone does not naturally occur in Egypt. Much of the lapis reaching the ancient Mediterranean world originated thousands of miles away in the mountains of what is now Afghanistan, passing through extensive trade networks before arriving in Egyptian workshops. There, its extraordinary blue became part of jewelry, amulets, inlay, and objects made for both this life and the next.

That journey is part of what fascinates me about the stone. A small piece of lapis can carry within it a much larger story about geography, human ingenuity, exchange, and the lengths people have always been willing to travel in pursuit of beauty.

Along the Nile: Lapis translates that ancient material fascination into a modern strand meant to be worn rather than preserved behind glass.

At approximately 17.5 inches long, it rests near the collarbone. A 1.5-inch extender provides additional room for adjusting its length, whether worn alone or staggered alongside another strand.

Designed to Wear Together

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

At 17.5 inches, Lapis sits beautifully among the shorter strands while leaving room for the longer Polychrome and Carnelian necklaces to fall beneath it. Pair it with coordinating earrings or bracelets, add another necklace, or build an entire arrangement from the collection.

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

Details

• Natural, undyed lapis lazuli
• Natural, undyed turquoise
• Polished tubular and smaller gemstone beads
• Gold-plated brass spacer beads
• 14kt gold-filled lobster clasp
• Approximately 17.5 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 follow lapis lazuli far beyond the Nile. In Why Ancient Egyptians Treasured Lapis Lazuli, discover why this extraordinary blue stone was so highly valued, where it came from, and how it traveled thousands of miles before reaching the workshops of ancient Egypt.

Explore the Exhibit →