Sodalite Cleopatra Necklace

Sodalite is a tectosilicate mineral. The deep blue comes from the mineral itself; the peach-toned veining is calcite, deposited along fractures as the stone formed. It is often mistaken for lapis lazuli, but sodalite has no pyrite and the white-to-peach intrusions read warmer than lapis's white calcite.

This hand-built Egyptian collar necklace sets sodalite stones across the upper band, framed by blue and canary yellow. Small blue drops hang at the lower edge. An olive green glass cube drops from the center.

The yellow is the surprise. It makes the whole piece read brighter without going pastel. Wear it with a cream linen dress, a butter yellow silk shell, or a faded denim shirt. For spring openings, a long Saturday in good weather, or anywhere the light is coming back.