Vintage Resort Necklace by Vintage Earth, $48
Vintage Earth, a unique world of rocks, glass, and metal, is operated out of a small studio in a seaside town in Southern Maine by designer and owner Sarah Beth Martin. Sarah, who is also a writer, has penned short stories and essays for various literary journals and magazines, and is the author of the novel, The One True Ocean. Her designs are a blend of exotic color, organic style, and old world spirit. Her jewelry collection reflects her love of mixing color and texture, blending earthy with elegant, and her fondness for vintage and Bohemian elements. They retail between $15 and $52.
When we read about Sarah's studio location, we wanted to be transported. A small seaside town in the southern coast of Maine - we pictured the New England style main street, old homes, sheltered port, and the warm community. One cannot help but be inspired. Then, the phone rang and we were back to our hustle and bustle reality. Sarah's jewelry is so much a representation of her surroundings and we wanted so badly to be surrounded by it.
What better way to do that than to receive a piece from her spring collection, the vintage resort necklace which retails for $48. With an adjustable length from 15 1/2 to 17 1/2 inches, it's a choker style necklace with the strand fashioned out of Chinese turqouise beads. Its pendant is a coppery-bronze German filigree with an aqua blue Czech glass as the centerpiece.
In the photo, the beads appear to be about the size of regular peas, but in person it's more the size of small peas, quite dainty. With the pendant measuring about 1 1/4 inches long, the proportion is perfect, and the contrast between the coppery bronze and the turquoise beads is exquisite.
An attribute you can't see from looking at a photo is good craftmanship. This necklace is well made from the pendant up to the closure. Most closures I see these days are so flimsy, I'm afraid it'll fall apart if I tug too hard. With this necklace, the closure is sturdy, of antique copper plated brass and steel. It's connected snugly to the beads, which themselves are strung tightly. Every detail is well executed.
Needless to say, I was very excited to wear it. It's a versatile piece you can wear to work for a professional look, to an evening out for a glam look, and on the weekend for a casual look. Try it with this silk chiffon blouse, this tunic minidress by Carilyn Vaile, or this poplin shirt.
At $48, this necklace is affordable luxe with an old world charm.
Everytime I wear it, I think about the small seaside town in the South of Maine. It puts a smile on my face and transports me to quiet, peaceful, old world. Ahhh....
Reviewer: Chic Techie
