Addis Ababa

Stunning metal globes from Ethiopia coupled with giant amber resin drums and a rare faceted chunk of orange coral make for an exotic and fascinating one-of-a-kind necklace. This bold collar-style neckpiece has a wonderful cultural appeal and could almost be right out of a museum collection. It is a harmonious mix of the ancient and modern with the antique Ethiopian metal beads providing culture and history while the smooth, lustrous resin and coral beads add a more contemporary quality.

Imported directly from Ethiopia, the amazing metal beads are silver-plated copper and average 35mm in diameter. In Ethiopia they are traditionally worn as the centerpiece of a simple glass beaded necklace. Each of these spectacular beads is a unique piece of artwork. The two halves are separately handmade and then fused together creating the center detail on the beads. These beads are filled with African character and soul and because they were created in Ethiopia, I am naming the necklace Addis Ababa after the city’s capital. Addis Ababa is host to the world’s largest open air market where endless amounts of goods are sold, and I can only imagine the amazing Ethiopian art and silverwork available at this Mercato.

The amber-looking beads are hand carved from tree resin and mixed with the powder resin residue from the real amber bead-making process. These beads come from Greece where this process has been a tradition for hundreds of years. These magnificent beads are lightweight, smooth and shiny and they have amazing color with a unique marbling effect.

A large chunk of orange coral is the center focal point of this fabulous artisan necklace. Although carved and faceted to a smooth finish, the natural texture of the coral shows through adding even more character to this completely exotic, one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes with a sterling silver s-hook clasp and can be adjusted in length from 15 to 19 inches.

You may also be interested in the Addis Ababa bracelet made to acccompany this original designer necklace.