Handclasp Charm Base Necklace

This necklace was inspired by Georgian-era chains - bracelets and necklaces - where the clasp is shaped like a woman's hand. Often this hand-clasp is wearing some kind of gem-studded bracelet or ring. Always, these antique pieces are hard to find and extraordinarily expensive. For more than a year, Lucy and I worked together to build a piece that works reliably (durability is always an issue with old hand-clasps) and looks great with a simple gold base chain. We scrapped the first three prototypes and almost gave up on this project, but then, success! It all came together when we decided to move the closure mechanism from the hand itself to a jumbo spring ring. Everything hangs just right, and a pile of charms doesn't throw off the balance of the piece.