Indian Necklace

Coral at the throat, gold on either side, and nobody asking for permission.

This necklace from India is strung with antique gold and coral. Coral has been carried into India by traders for many centuries, and it has long held a place in Indian jewelry alongside gold. A large red barrel of coral hangs at the center, between two round gold beads worked with raised patterns. Beyond them come ribbed gold beads, then faceted ones, with smaller coral beads set among them toward the back. The gold has a warm, soft tone. Sixteen inches long.

It has no particular interest in being subtle.