- Tamar Collection: Second Light
- Awakening Amethyst Stalactite Necklace
Awakening Amethyst Stalactite Necklace
Awakening Amethyst Stalactite Necklace
This is Awakening, a one-of-a-kind amethyst stalactite necklace built on a stone that sat in a drawer for years. I bought the strand at a Tucson gem show, low on budget, on my way out of the Holidome, and most of it stayed in that drawer until this piece gave one slice a home.
The slice is oriented horizontally so it reads as a wide architectural bar across the chest. I wired a 24k gold vermeil structure into place as the armature, then assembled the cluster so it appears to grow out of the geode face: faceted amethyst, crown-cut mixed beryl of aquamarine and morganite and heliodor, ombre aquamarine briolettes, moonstone, sapphires, zircon, Herkimer diamonds and keshi pearls. It anchors at the bottom with a single large green rutilated quartz teardrop briolette hanging below the piece like a quiet final mark.
The pendant has real presence, so it needed a counterweight. A large-link 14k gold-filled heavy chain was exactly right, finished with a large toggle clasp that matches the grounded energy of the stone.
It works over a clean silk shirt on a Wednesday as readily as over something deliberate at night. The geode catches light differently every time you move.
Assembled by hand by Andrea Li in her Denver studio. No other necklace will carry this stone or this cluster.
The pink, purple, orange and blue gray Herkimer diamonds in this piece get their color from a thin coating on the surface, not from the crystal itself. Coatings can wear with time and friction, so clean them gently with a soft cloth and keep them away from ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals.
Necklace Length vs. Drop
Circumference / Length: The full measurement of the chain or strand from end to end (including the clasp): 18 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 3 ¼ inches
• See how to style it -> the pastel styling guide
Complete the set with the Cascade necklace and the Ember cuff.-
Ships same day (Mon–Wed orders before 4pm MT) FedEx 2-Day | Fully Insured | Signature Required 14-day returns | Full shipping & returns policy →
This is Awakening, a one-of-a-kind amethyst stalactite necklace built on a stone that sat in a drawer for years. I bought the strand at a Tucson gem show, low on budget, on my way out of the Holidome, and most of it stayed in that drawer until this piece gave one slice a home.
The slice is oriented horizontally so it reads as a wide architectural bar across the chest. I wired a 24k gold vermeil structure into place as the armature, then assembled the cluster so it appears to grow out of the geode face: faceted amethyst, crown-cut mixed beryl of aquamarine and morganite and heliodor, ombre aquamarine briolettes, moonstone, sapphires, zircon, Herkimer diamonds and keshi pearls. It anchors at the bottom with a single large green rutilated quartz teardrop briolette hanging below the piece like a quiet final mark.
The pendant has real presence, so it needed a counterweight. A large-link 14k gold-filled heavy chain was exactly right, finished with a large toggle clasp that matches the grounded energy of the stone.
It works over a clean silk shirt on a Wednesday as readily as over something deliberate at night. The geode catches light differently every time you move.
Assembled by hand by Andrea Li in her Denver studio. No other necklace will carry this stone or this cluster.
The pink, purple, orange and blue gray Herkimer diamonds in this piece get their color from a thin coating on the surface, not from the crystal itself. Coatings can wear with time and friction, so clean them gently with a soft cloth and keep them away from ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals.
Necklace Length vs. Drop
Circumference / Length: The full measurement of the chain or strand from end to end (including the clasp): 18 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 3 ¼ inches
• See how to style it -> the pastel styling guide
Complete the set with the Cascade necklace and the Ember cuff.-
Ships same day (Mon–Wed orders before 4pm MT) FedEx 2-Day | Fully Insured | Signature Required 14-day returns | Full shipping & returns policy →
From the bench
The slice is a cross-section of an amethyst stalactite, grown drop by drop inside an ancient volcanic geode, almost always from Uruguay or southern Brazil.
I bought it years ago and it sat in a drawer until I hand-wired a 24k gold vermeil structure to cradle it, threading my own wire through the stone's one channel until the channel was nearly full.
Amethyst is purple quartz at 7 on the Mohs scale, hard enough to wear often rather than save for occasions.
Where this amethyst geode slice came from| Awakening | Typical alternative | |
|---|---|---|
| Center stone | Amethyst geode stalactite slice — a cross-section of a formation millions of years in the making, oriented as a horizontal bar | A single faceted amethyst on a simple setting |
| Metal | 14k gold-filled heavy chain; 24k gold vermeil armature; 14k gold-filled wire findings | Gold-plated base metal |
| Construction | One of a kind, hand-built in Denver; assembled once, never repeated | Mass-produced, repeated across dozens of units |
| Focal detail | Large green rutilated quartz flat teardrop briolette anchoring the base of the pendant | A plain chain termination or lobster clasp |
| Cluster | Multi-stone hand-set cluster — amethyst, aquamarine, crown-cut mixed beryl, sapphires, moonstone, Herkimer diamonds, pearls, zircon — chosen to echo the geode palette | A single stone or a mass-cast setting |
How does an amethyst stalactite form?
Amethyst stalactite slices are cross-sections of formations that grow over millions of years inside volcanic rock. When lava cools, it traps gas bubbles that become empty cavities. Mineral-rich groundwater seeps in and builds concentric, icicle-like tubes of banded agate hanging from the cavity walls -- these are called stalactitic agate. As the chemistry shifts and trace iron is introduced, the outer surfaces of those agate tubes erupt into purple quartz crystals, the amethyst. Rock artisans then cut the stalactites crosswise and polish them, revealing the banded agate core surrounded by a ring of amethyst stars. The finest formations come from ancient volcanic basalt flows in Uruguay and Brazil. You can read more in my amethyst stalactite gemstone guide.
Is Awakening one of a kind?
Yes. Awakening is one of a kind, built once and never repeated. The amethyst stalactite slice at its center was sourced years ago at the Tucson gem show and sat in my studio drawer until this piece finally claimed it. Once it finds you, you are the only person wearing it.
Are there other pieces in this set?
Yes -- Awakening is part of the Stalactite trio in the Second Light collection. The set includes the Cascade necklace, which uses a second amethyst stalactite slice on a multi-chain design, and the Ember cuff bracelet, which builds on the same geode palette. All three pieces can be worn together or as individual statements.
How do I care for this necklace?
Amethyst is a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it durable for everyday wear, but the gemstone cluster includes softer accent stones -- store Awakening lying flat away from harder pieces. Avoid contact with chemicals, lotions, and perfume. Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth after wearing.
