Coral necklace with Tibetan cloisonné beads and a vintage Tibetan pendant

This set brings together the powerful symbolism of the East and the fire of coral.

The necklace is built from massive beads of natural red coral, interspersed with spherical Tibetan beads inlaid with turquoise, coral and brass (the mosaic technique of Nepal and Tibet — tiny mineral fragments set by hand into a brass base). Red coral stands for life, turquoise for calm and the spiritual path.

At the centre is an antique Tibetan amulet pendant, decorated with turquoise and coral mosaic inlay. The base is brass with the patina of time. It belongs to the Ghau type of amulets, which in Tibet held fragments of prayers or a lama’s blessing; stylistically it dates to the early 20th century, roughly the 1920s–1940s.

The earrings are restrained and echo the motifs of the necklace: two coral beads on brass hooks.

This is a story about balance: about fire that does not burn, and metal that does not grow cold.