ArtFire

Please read shipping notes before ordering this piece of handmade jewelry.

This distinctive one-of-a-kind piece is a happy marriage of Kazuri beads, various natural beads, gold and freshwater pearls. Kazuri beads are ceramic beads made in Kenya by women of the Kikuyu tribe. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area lending authenticity to finished product.

The beads used in this particular piece feature real 14K gold accents on the Kazuri focal bead. It is complimented by double drilled jasper squares and 6 and 8mm rounds, 5mm hessonite garnets, vermeil bead caps and 11/0 faceted, galvanized gold seed beads. It also has top drilled freshwater pearl fringe suspended on gold filled chain from the bottom hole in the double drilled jasper squares.

This necklace does not yet have a clasp so that the purchaser can choose the length for the finished piece. Finished length can be as short as 16" or as long as 20". The price quoted includes a simple gold filled lobster claw.

Pictured with this necklace is another Kazuri bead necklace listed separately. In addition to personal checks and US Postal Money orders, I accept PayPal. Shipments paid for by check are held until the check clears the financial institution on which it was written.

I do not pad my shipping charges but do pass actual costs on to the buyer. ArtFire requires that I pick a number for shipping so I picked the least expensive, slow-boat-to-China rate offered by the United States Postal Service. Secondary shipping charges depend on what else you are purchasing. If you are purchasing more than one item at a time from my studio, please e-mail for shipping charges. If you wish to choose a shipping method other than the USPS to a US address, the cost is more. That said, U.S. or Canadian purchasers may choose the U.S. Postal System, UPS or Fed Ex. but please request a shipping quote before making a purchase.

International purchasers may only use U.S. Global Priority Mail. Costs for Global Priority shipments vary by destination and package weight. Please contact me for a shipping quote before making a purchase. I combine shipping costs automatically.

Insurance is optional but I accept no responsibility for damage to or loss of uninsured shipments.

The Kazuri focal bead with its 14k gold accents was my inspiration, that and the cause it supports. In 1988 Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely with over 120 women and men. Here women are trained and apply their skills to produce these unique and beautiful beads and jewelry. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area thus giving them authenticity to their craft. The factory acts as a social gathering with the hum of voices continuing throughout the day. With unemployment so high, one job-holder often ends up providing for an "extended family" of 20 or more. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.

Kazuri beads, jasper, hessonite garnets, vermeil bead caps, fold filled chain & wire, 49 strand .019 flex wire. faceted gold galvanized seed beads