Design Feature: Multiple strands of soothing grey wood discs, twisted for a captivating layering effect
Material: Wood discs with a horn eye and hook closure for a modern look
Size: 20.5 inches in length
Country of Origin: Handmade in the Philippines
design: A bold, multi-strand bib necklace made up of dozens of flat grey wood discs, twisted together strand by strand to build a dense, layered silhouette that falls in a soft V at the collarbone.
size: 20.5 inches in length.
material: Wood discs (dyed a soft grey) strung on multiple strands, with a horn eye-and-hook closure.
features: Multi-strand layered design, hand-twisted wood-disc strands, horn eye-and-hook closure, statement bib silhouette
care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and store flat or hanging, away from water, perfume, and direct sun, which can dull the dyed wood finish.
disclaimer: Because the discs are cut from natural wood and the closure is genuine horn, slight variations in grain, tone, and shape are normal and make each necklace one of a kind.
The Story
This necklace belongs to a long-running tradition of accessory-making in the Philippines, where wood, shell, and horn are cut, shaped, and strung into fashion jewelry by hand. Flat wood discs like these are a signature form in that trade: simple, uniform shapes that become dramatic only through quantity and repetition, strand piled on strand until they build real volume and movement.
The twisted, multi-strand construction seen here is a technique used to keep a large necklace flexible and comfortable rather than stiff and boardlike. Twisting the strands as they're assembled lets the discs catch light and shift naturally against each other when worn, so the piece reads as sculptural rather than static.
Pairing dyed wood with a horn closure is also characteristic of Filipino costume jewelry making, where horn is prized as a durable, naturally polished material for the small hardware — clasps, hooks, and toggles — that has to work as hard as it looks good.
A necklace like this starts with raw wood discs, cut to a consistent size and sanded smooth before being dyed to their soft grey finish. Each disc is then hand-strung onto cord, strand by strand, with the strands twisted together as they're built up so the finished necklace hangs with layered depth rather than lying flat. The eye-and-hook closure is shaped from horn and set by hand, a separate step that calls for its own cutting and polishing before it's fitted to the strands. Multiplied across dozens of discs and many strands, it's a piece that depends on patient, repetitive handwork to get the proportions and drape right.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Philippines
- Craft Tradition: Filipino wood and horn jewelry making
- Ideal For: Someone who wants one necklace to be the entire outfit's focal point
- Wear It With: Let it stand alone over a simple crew neck or scoop top in a solid color, and skip other necklaces so the layered discs stay the star.
- Purpose: Statement jewelry, everyday elevated wear, gifting
Questions & Answers
What is the necklace made of?
Multiple strands of grey-dyed wood discs, finished with a hook-and-eye closure made from genuine horn.
How long is the necklace?
It measures 20.5 inches in length, designed to sit as a bib-style piece at the collarbone.
Is the closure adjustable?
The horn eye-and-hook closure is fixed rather than a sliding adjustable clasp, so it fastens at a set length.
Will the color or grain vary from the photo?
Yes, slightly. Because the discs are cut from natural wood and the closure from natural horn, small differences in grain and tone are expected and are part of the handmade material.
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 perfume.
