Design Feature: Multiple strands of wood discs in varying shades of brown, twisted for a captivating layering effect
Material: Wood discs with a horn eye and hook closure for a gradient look
Size: About 21 inches in length
Country of Origin: Handmade in the Philippines
design: A bold multi-strand necklace of small wood discs, twisted together so the bands of light and dark brown weave over one another in a layered, textural collar.
size: About 21 inches in length.
material: Wood discs strung on multiple strands, with a horn eye-and-hook closure.
features: Multiple twisted strands, gradient of brown tones from pale to near-black, horn hook-and-eye closure, substantial layered silhouette
care: Keep dry and away from perfume or lotion, and wipe gently with a soft cloth after wear to preserve the wood and horn finish.
disclaimer: Because the discs are cut from natural wood and the closure shaped from natural horn, grain, tone and shape vary slightly from piece to piece.
The Story
This necklace belongs to a long-running tradition in the Philippines of building jewelry from locally available, renewable materials rather than metal or glass. Wood is sliced into thin discs, sanded smooth, and strung in quantity, an approach that turns an everyday material into something with real visual weight when multiplied across a dozen strands.
The twisted, multi-strand construction is a hallmark of Filipino wood and shell jewelry making, where several thin strands are combined and crossed over each other rather than left to hang flat. The result reads as a single substantial collar, but it is built from many individual small parts, each one cut and finished by hand.
The horn hook-and-eye closure carries its own logic: horn is tough enough to hold its shape under tension, so it does double duty as both fastener and finishing detail, its dark polished curve echoing the darkest discs in the strands.
Making a piece like this starts with raw wood, cut into blanks and then sliced into uniform discs, each one sanded and polished by hand so the natural grain and color of the wood show through. Because the discs range from pale cream to deep espresso, an artisan sorts and strings them strand by strand to build the gradient, then twists the strands together so the tones layer rather than sit in flat rows. The horn closure is shaped and polished separately, heated and worked into its curved hook form before being fitted to the strands, a step that takes a steady hand since horn cracks if worked too quickly.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Philippines
- Ideal For: Anyone who wants a bold, texture-driven statement necklace in a natural, easy-to-wear palette
- Wear It With: Let it be the focus over a simple crew-neck, boat-neck, or wrap top in a solid color
- Purpose: Statement necklace, layering piece, gift
Questions & Answers
How long is the necklace?
It measures about 21 inches in length, sitting as a substantial collar-style piece.
What is the necklace made of?
It's made from wood discs strung in multiple strands, with a closure made from horn.
How does the closure work?
It closes with a horn eye-and-hook clasp: one curved horn piece hooks into a loop on the opposite end of the strands.
Will the color match exactly what's pictured?
Close, but expect natural variation — since the discs are cut from real wood and the closure from natural horn, grain and tone shift slightly piece to piece.
How should I care for it?
Keep it dry, avoid direct contact with perfume or lotion, and wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing to keep the wood and horn looking their best.
