Along the Nile: Polychrome

Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli & Turquoise Strand Necklace

Ancient Egypt was never a colorless world.

Along the Nile: Polychrome celebrates the extraordinary palette preserved in Egyptian jewelry and decorative arts through natural, undyed lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian, arranged in strong tubular forms and punctuated with warm gold.

Deep lapis blue meets vivid turquoise and translucent orange-red carnelian, while gold-plated brass spacers create small flashes of light between the stones. The varied shapes and proportions give the strand an architectural rhythm reminiscent of ancient beadwork without reproducing a particular historical object.

The word polychrome simply means many-colored, a term often used in museums and archaeology to describe objects decorated in multiple colors. It is particularly appropriate for ancient Egypt, where color could carry layers of cultural and symbolic meaning far beyond decoration.

Blue could evoke the heavens, water, creation, and divine realms. Green and blue-green could speak to vegetation, renewal, and life. Red could suggest vitality and power, while gold was associated with the divine and the enduring brilliance of the sun.

Those ancient associations aren't something I intend this necklace to reproduce literally. Instead, they are part of the world from which its palette emerged, a reminder that color itself can carry a history.

At approximately 20 inches long, Polychrome falls below the shorter Mosaic and Lapis strands, giving its larger gemstone forms room to breathe. A 1.5-inch extender provides additional flexibility when worn alone or layered.

Designed to Wear Together

The Along the Nile necklaces were designed as part of the larger Ancient Egypt series, carrying the same lapis, turquoise, carnelian, and gold palette into pieces meant to work naturally with the lotus earrings, beaded bracelets, and other designs throughout the collection.

The necklaces themselves were intentionally created at complementary lengths. At 20 inches, Polychrome falls beneath the shorter Mosaic and Lapis strands and above the long Carnelian necklace, allowing each design its own space when several are worn together.

Wear it alone as a richly colored statement, pair it with coordinating earrings or bracelets, or build your own arrangement from the collection.

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

Details

• Natural, undyed lapis lazuli
• Natural, undyed turquoise
• Natural carnelian
• Tubular, faceted, and polished gemstones in varied shapes and sizes
• Gold-plated brass spacer beads
• 14kt gold-filled lobster clasp
• Approximately 20 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 brilliantly painted tomb of Queen Nefertari, where color was never merely decoration. In Beneath an Eternal Sky, explore how the vivid colors of ancient Egypt could carry ideas of life, protection, rebirth, divinity, and eternity.

Enter the Exhibit →