After the seemingly endless winter and frustratingly cold spring we’ve been having (may it be better where you are), this necklace is a sunny delight.

By Stanmore and dubbed the Claire necklace, it is made with pieces of  dendritic agate and mojave yellow turquoise, set in 14k gold plated metal, on a brass metal snake chain. It measures 20 inches and sells for USD $240.

Stanmore is designer Catherine Alexander.  From Washington DC, she studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and then worked in production for independent movies and television shows, she ventured into fashion photography and then prop styling, which led her to jewelry making. Alexander notes that she makes every piece is made by hand using waxwork, metalwork, silversmithing and in some cases, 3D CAD design. All of the metal casting and production is done in New York City but all other materials are sourced from all over the world.

In addition, she notes that the inspiration for the pieces in her spring-summer 2014 collection, including this one, is “the Egyptian Revival Movement of the 1920’s and the Post-Punk movements of the 80’s; freedom movements that celebrated a reaction to traditionalism with bold, assertive shapes and eye-catching colors.  Muted brights, clean neutrals and simple shapes accentuate the innate beauty of the materials used.”