This grounded yet graceful three-strand necklace layers indigo textile-wrapped beads, creamy raw wood, and polished mahogany tones with flecks of sodalite gemstone. Brass links add a warm glint to this artisan-crafted composition.
-
Design: Triple-strand necklace blending textile beads, raw and polished wood, and sodalite gemstones.
-
Material: Recycled textile, wood beads, sodalite gemstones, lead- & nickel-free alloy metal.
-
Size: 20.5" with a 3" extender.
-
Country of origin: India.
Handmade Disclaimer:
Each piece is handmade by Fairtrade artisans—natural variations in bead texture, wood grain, and stone hue are part of its handcrafted story.
design: A triple-strand necklace that layers indigo textile-wrapped beads with raw cream wood, deep matte navy wood, and polished mahogany-tone wood, with faceted sodalite beads and small brass spacers strung throughout.
size: 20.5" with a 3" extender.
material: Recycled textile, wood beads, sodalite gemstones, lead- and nickel-free alloy metal.
features: Three-strand design, mixed bead textures (matte, polished, textile-wrapped), sodalite gemstone accents, brass-tone spacer beads, adjustable 3" extender
care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and store flat or hanging, away from moisture and direct sun, to protect the wood and textile beads.
disclaimer: Each piece is handmade by Fairtrade artisans, so natural variations in bead texture, wood grain, and stone hue are part of its handcrafted story.
The Story
This necklace draws on a beadwork tradition well established among India's artisan cooperatives, where offcut fabric — often the same cotton and silk scraps left over from sari and garment production — is wound tightly around a core and sealed to form a bead rather than discarded. Pairing those textile beads with wood and semi-precious stone reflects a common studio practice in Indian fair-trade jewelry making: combine a low-waste material with locally sourced wood and stone so no single component drives the cost or the look.
The raw and polished wood beads here are shaped from sustainably managed timber, left in contrasting finishes — some sanded smooth and lacquered to a mahogany sheen, others kept matte — a choice that lets the necklace read as textured and layered rather than uniform. Multi-strand construction like this is a practical design language as much as a decorative one: it lets artisans use smaller, irregular beads (which are cheaper to produce and reduce waste) while still building a piece with visual weight.
Sodalite is not native to India, so its presence here reflects the way many Indian bead workshops source stone from the broader gem trade and integrate it into locally made settings — a working example of craft as an evolving, globally connected practice rather than a fixed, closed-off one.
Making a strand like this starts with the textile beads: strips of recycled fabric are wound around a core by hand and sealed so the bead holds its shape and color. Wood beads are turned and sanded to size, then a portion are polished and lacquered while others are left in a raw, matte finish for contrast. The sodalite is cut and faceted separately before an artisan strings all three materials — textile, wood, and stone — onto three individual strands, spacing them with small brass beads and checking each strand against the others so the color blocking lines up before the piece is finished and clasped.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Recycled textile-wrapped beadwork
- Ideal For: Anyone who wants a substantial, texture-rich statement necklace with an earthy, wearable palette
- Wear It With: Layer over a simple crewneck or button-down in cream or chambray to let the indigo and wood tones stand out
- Purpose: Everyday wear, layering piece, gifting
- Gemstone: Sodalite
- Metal: Lead- and nickel-free alloy (brass-tone accents)
Sodalite is a deep royal-blue stone, often threaded with white or gray veining, first named in the early 1800s and long used in beadwork and inlay for the richness of its color. Here it's cut into small faceted beads that catch light differently than the surrounding matte wood and textile beads, giving the strand a point of contrast and polish among the more textured materials.
Questions & Answers
How long is this necklace?
It measures 20.5" with a 3" extender, so it can be worn slightly shorter or longer depending on how you'd like it to sit.
Is this necklace heavy to wear?
It has some presence thanks to the three strands of wood and stone beads, but the mix of lightweight wood keeps it comfortable for all-day wear.
Will the colors and textures match the photo exactly?
Not exactly — each necklace is handmade, so the wood grain, bead texture, and stone hue vary slightly from piece to piece.
What is the necklace made from?
Three strands combine recycled textile beads, raw and polished wood beads, and sodalite gemstones, finished with lead- and nickel-free alloy spacers and clasp.
How should I care for it?
Keep it dry, wipe it down with a soft cloth after wear, and store it flat or hanging away from direct sunlight and moisture.
