- Tamar Collection: Second Light
- Blue Hour Moonstone Marquis Oval Pendant Necklace
Blue Hour Moonstone Marquis Oval Pendant Necklace
Blue Hour Moonstone Marquis Oval Pendant Necklace
Blue Hour is a one-of-a-kind rainbow moonstone necklace, hand-formed in 14k gold-filled by Andrea Li in her Denver studio.
Eight AAAA rainbow moonstone marquis edge the oval pendant, cut as smooth polished domes rather than faceted. That cut is why they do what they do. A dome lets light scatter across the layers inside the stone and glide, which produces the floating glow called adularescence; facets would break that light into surface sparkle and mask it. The flash in these is almost neon, an electric blue that moves as the stone moves.
The oval frame was formed by hand from 12-gauge 14k gold-filled wire and drilled at anchor points, so every stone is wired down into the frame rather than resting against it. The moonstones run up one side only. Sky blue topaz, left from another collection and reflecting the same blue as the flash, anchors the palette alongside morganite, aquamarine, gray and pink sapphires, and Japanese Akoya keshi pearls.
A graduated gemstone drop falls from the base of the cluster, larger stones at the top and smaller as they descend. It is not only decorative. An asymmetric pendant hangs crooked without counterweight, and the drop pulls it straight. A second, smaller cluster balances the opposite side while leaving the frame deliberately open.
It hangs on 14k gold-filled paperclip chain, substantial enough to carry the weight and fine enough to belong with the stones. Wear it against a plain neckline where the flash has room to move.
Necklace Length vs. Drop
Circumference / Length: The full measurement of the chain or strand from end to end (including the clasp): 16 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 5 ½ inches
Ships same day (Mon–Wed orders before 4pm MT) FedEx 2-Day | Fully Insured | Signature Required 14-day returns | Full shipping & returns policy →
Blue Hour is a one-of-a-kind rainbow moonstone necklace, hand-formed in 14k gold-filled by Andrea Li in her Denver studio.
Eight AAAA rainbow moonstone marquis edge the oval pendant, cut as smooth polished domes rather than faceted. That cut is why they do what they do. A dome lets light scatter across the layers inside the stone and glide, which produces the floating glow called adularescence; facets would break that light into surface sparkle and mask it. The flash in these is almost neon, an electric blue that moves as the stone moves.
The oval frame was formed by hand from 12-gauge 14k gold-filled wire and drilled at anchor points, so every stone is wired down into the frame rather than resting against it. The moonstones run up one side only. Sky blue topaz, left from another collection and reflecting the same blue as the flash, anchors the palette alongside morganite, aquamarine, gray and pink sapphires, and Japanese Akoya keshi pearls.
A graduated gemstone drop falls from the base of the cluster, larger stones at the top and smaller as they descend. It is not only decorative. An asymmetric pendant hangs crooked without counterweight, and the drop pulls it straight. A second, smaller cluster balances the opposite side while leaving the frame deliberately open.
It hangs on 14k gold-filled paperclip chain, substantial enough to carry the weight and fine enough to belong with the stones. Wear it against a plain neckline where the flash has room to move.
Necklace Length vs. Drop
Circumference / Length: The full measurement of the chain or strand from end to end (including the clasp): 16 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 5 ½ inches
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
Eight AAAA rainbow moonstone marquis cabochons edge one side of an oval I hand-formed from 12-gauge 14k gold-filled wire.
I drilled anchor holes around that frame so every stone is wired down into it rather than resting against it, and the sky blue topaz that set the whole palette was left over from another collection.
A rounded dome lets light scatter across the layers inside the stone and glide, which is the flash you actually see when you move.
Why moonstone is cut smooth, not faceted| Blue Hour | Typical alternative | |
|---|---|---|
| Stones | Eight AAAA rainbow moonstone marquis cabochons with blue adularescence | Faceted moonstone or a single ungraded stone |
| Cut | Smooth polished domes, the only cut that preserves the flash and protects the stone's cleavage | Faceted, which breaks the glow into surface sparkle |
| Frame | Oval formed by hand from 12-gauge 14k gold-filled wire and drilled at every anchor point | Purchased bezel or cast setting |
| Setting | Every stone wired down into a drilled hole, never strung loose or glued | Strung or adhered |
| Metal | 14k gold-filled throughout, including chain and findings | Gold-plated base metal |
| Construction | One of a kind, hand-built in Denver; built once, never repeated | Mass-produced and repeated |
What is adularescence?
The floating blue glow in moonstone, caused by light scattering between microscopic alternating layers of two feldspar minerals, orthoclase and albite. It is structure rather than pigment, which is why it moves as the stone moves. More in my moonstone guide.
Why is moonstone not faceted?
A smooth dome lets light scatter across the internal layers and glide, where flat facets break it into sharp surface reflections that mask the glow. Moonstone also has two directions of perfect cleavage, so a dome removes the edges most likely to chip.
Is this necklace one of a kind?
Yes. Blue Hour was built once and will not be repeated. The oval frame was formed by hand in Andrea Li's Denver studio and the cluster was built to these particular stones.
How do I care for moonstone?
Moonstone is softer than quartz and splits along its cleavage if struck, so put it on last and take it off first. Clean with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, never an ultrasonic cleaner.
