Amethyst Multi-Strand Necklace on Plum Braided Cord

• Multi-strand layered front
• Hand-braided cotton cord
• Oxidized silver-tone alloy spacer beads
• Hook clasp closure

The beads are cut from natural amethyst, so expect gentle variation in color depth, translucency and shape from stone to stone and from the piece pictured.

India's bead trade cuts, polishes and strings semi-precious stone into wearable form almost entirely by hand. Amethyst, a purple quartz, is one of the stones most often worked there — the clarity is good, and the tone runs a wide range from pale lilac to deep violet.

The multi-strand front is a working convention of Indian beadwork: layering lets a maker build volume and movement from smaller, less uniform stones rather than relying on a few large ones. Pairing the beads with a braided cotton cord instead of chain keeps the piece light and lets the color of the fiber sit against the stone.

Rough amethyst is tumbled into smooth ovals, then sorted by size and hue so each strand reads as a cohesive gradient. The strands are hand-strung, gathered at two points marked by patterned alloy rondelles, and finished with a hand-braided cord and silver-tone hook clasp.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. Store flat or hanging to keep the strands from tangling, and keep it away from perfume, lotion and prolonged sun.