Rose Martin 36" graduated necklace - BIL 425

Navajo Pearls are traditionally made sterling silver beads. Silver beads are a traditional art form for Diné silversmiths, and the beads have as many expressions as there are artisans. Making the beads is a time-consuming process. ____________________________________________________ Sterling silver Is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper The sterling silver has a minimum fineness of.925 SILVER, for example 99.9% pure silver, is relatively soft, so silver is usually alloyed with copper to increase its hardness and strength. Sterling silver is prone to tarnishing, and elements other than copper can be used in alloys to reduce tarnishing. ____________________________________________________ Oxidized silver (black coloring in the silver) is a process that many jewelers use to give sterling silver a black patina. It gives the jewelry an antique or tarnished look. The process consists of taking clean sterling silver and using a chemical (liver of Sulphur) to treat it to speed up the tarnishing effect. A Rose Martin original design. This 3-strand necklace measures 36" in total length with a unique multi sized graduated lengths. Set in solid sterling silver with a brushed antique finish with oxidized ends. The artist has created a layered design effect with 3 strands that tie into one strand at the ends. Her use of the different sizes of Navajo pearls make this a very unique piece. This is a beautiful piece.