Love beads, the lean and layered staple of free-spirited soul searchers, are being reinterpreted for a new generation. Consider Dean Harris’s fire opal creation and Mish New York’s strand of carnelians and citrines. Both play with Mother Nature’s most vivid shades, yet provide a more sophisticated alternative to flower-child fare. “Jewelry has gotten more refined since the Sixties,” says Mish Tworkowsi. “It’s less kooky.” Gioia and Irene Neuwirth proffer lush takes on purple—the former via raspberry spinel beads and the latter with delicate amethyst. Meanwhile, Mallary Marks’s two sapphire necklaces “capture the musicality of color,” she says. Clearly, a harmonious fit with any wardrobe.
From left: Dean Harris’s 18k yellow gold and fire opal necklace, $7,000, at Dean Harris, New York, 212.684.9857, deanharris.net; Gioia’s 18k white gold, spinel and diamond necklace, $4,650, at Gioia, New York, 212.223.3146; Mallary Marks’s 22k and 18k yellow gold, apatite and sapphire bead necklace, $4,482, and 18k yellow gold and multicolored sapphire necklace, $8,485, at Barneys New York, New York, 212.826.8900; Mish New York’s 18k yellow gold, carnelian, citrine, fire opal, imperial topaz, smoky quartz and freshwater pearl necklace, price available upon request, at Mish New York, New York, 212.734.3500, mishnewyork.com; Irene Neuwirth’s 18k rose gold and amethyst necklace, $11,720, at Ylang 23, Dallas, 972.980.0819, ylang23.com.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Relive the Summer of Love with these long, colorful necklaces.
May 2008
