Over the decades, beads have developed a bad reputation as too tasteful and granny-like. When the aurora borealis coating was invented in the mid-50s by Swarovski (in partnership with Christian Dior) the shimmery finish appeared on everything. Two and three strand crystal bead necklaces were very fashionable at the time, and you can find oodles of these at any vintage show or flea market. The ubiquity of these pieces didn’t help their style longevity.

But crystal beads have also been used to great and fashionable effect (thinking of Italian masters Coppola e Toppo here), using colour gradations, interesting weaving and knotting, and mixing in plastic and other beads.

Gustave Sherman did many multi-strand necklaces that played it safe, but every once in a while, he produced a design like this one, that looks as fresh and contemporary today as it did when it was introduced, likely in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Sherman worked only with Swarovski crystals and this lariat uses clear and aurora borealis finished beads, as well as making studded beads by combining different sizes (seen in the tassels on the end). The fact that this was wired together instead of using linen or fibre thread also means it has lasted beautifully.