Black & Gold Beaded Necklace Set - African Statement Jewellery

A black and gold beaded set: a multi strand collar necklace worked in black cord with gold banding, carrying a large coiled rosette at the centre front, with matching beaded bracelets and a pair of drop earrings. Gold against black is the oldest formal pairing there is, and this set uses it without apology. The gold sits in bands along the strands and gathers into the rosette at the throat, so the piece has a focal point rather than being decorated evenly the whole way round. This is a formal set rather than an everyday one. It belongs with a plain dark dress, a white shirt, or traditional dress cut in a single deep colour, and it is built for the occasions where photographs get taken. The necklace fastens at the back with a gold tone clasp. The bracelets and earrings repeat the same black cord and gold banding, so the set reads as one piece of work rather than several. Every strand is wrapped and bound by hand, so the width of the gold bands varies slightly from set to set. The rosette in particular is coiled by hand and is never twice the same. Care: keep away from perfume, lotion and water. Store the necklace flat or hanging so the strands hold their shape, and keep the rosette from being crushed under other pieces in a jewellery box. Wipe with a dry soft cloth.