Engraved Medallion Necklace with Rainbow Moonstone

• Bezel-set faceted rainbow moonstone
• Hand-engraved floral scrollwork medallion
• Moonstone-beaded chain
• Lobster claw closure
• 2 in adjustable extender

The moonstone is a natural stone and the medallion is hand-engraved, so flash across the stone and detail in the engraving shift slightly from piece to piece.

The medallion is worked in dense floral scrollwork: a flat metal disc stamped and hand-engraved with repeating vine, petal and dotted-granule motifs until the surface is fully patterned. That kind of all-over decoration turns a simple round form into something with depth and movement.

Rainbow moonstone shows a soft blue-white flash — called adularescence — as thin layers within the stone bend light passing through it. The cabochon-style facet used here brings out the effect, and the cool shimmer reads clearly against the warm engraved metal.

The disc is cut, stamped and hand-engraved with the scrollwork pattern using fine metal punches to keep the vine and petal lines even across the surface. The moonstone is cut and polished separately and set into a hand-formed bezel at the center; small moonstone beads are wire-linked one by one to build the chain.

• Technique: Indian engraved floral metalwork

Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth after wear, and keep away from moisture, lotions and perfume so the plating and stone hold their finish.