- Tamar Collection: Second Light
- Golden Hour Vermeil Oval Collar Necklace
Golden Hour Vermeil Oval Collar Necklace
Golden Hour Vermeil Oval Collar Necklace
This is Golden Hour, a one-of-a-kind baroque pearl collar built around 24k gold vermeil ovals rescued from a fellow jeweler's retired inventory, bought off her hands when she closed that design out.
The ovals come in two sizes and alternate along the collar. The focal point is a central drop oval edged in tiny purple Herkimer diamonds, which catch light in a way sapphires never quite do, with a large aquamarine nugget framed inside it. From there the collar builds outward: ovals edged in mystic labradorite with a center stone, alternating with open ovals each holding a single gem, a blue topaz in one and a copper aquamarine in the other, chosen for how closely they mirror each other.
The cluster at the center is built on mixed beryl crown-cut beads, aquamarine and morganite and heliodor faceted into the same geometric shape. They are fragile, so the inner structure went in first and the beryl last, one at a time. Baroque pearls shaped like angel wings extend the cluster outward, with morganite and aquamarine briolettes, sapphires, moonstone, amethyst and chalcedony filling the depth. All wire is 14k gold-filled.
It sits close at the base of the neck, as easy over a linen shirt as above a silk neckline.
The ovals it is built on no longer exist, so Golden Hour can only be had once, in this exact form. Built by hand by Andrea Li in her Denver studio.
The purple in these Herkimer diamonds comes 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): 19 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 3 inches
Extension Chain: This necklace is adjustable with a 6-inch chain at the back.
• Complete the set with the matching Golden Hour Earrings.
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 Golden Hour, a one-of-a-kind baroque pearl collar built around 24k gold vermeil ovals rescued from a fellow jeweler's retired inventory, bought off her hands when she closed that design out.
The ovals come in two sizes and alternate along the collar. The focal point is a central drop oval edged in tiny purple Herkimer diamonds, which catch light in a way sapphires never quite do, with a large aquamarine nugget framed inside it. From there the collar builds outward: ovals edged in mystic labradorite with a center stone, alternating with open ovals each holding a single gem, a blue topaz in one and a copper aquamarine in the other, chosen for how closely they mirror each other.
The cluster at the center is built on mixed beryl crown-cut beads, aquamarine and morganite and heliodor faceted into the same geometric shape. They are fragile, so the inner structure went in first and the beryl last, one at a time. Baroque pearls shaped like angel wings extend the cluster outward, with morganite and aquamarine briolettes, sapphires, moonstone, amethyst and chalcedony filling the depth. All wire is 14k gold-filled.
It sits close at the base of the neck, as easy over a linen shirt as above a silk neckline.
The ovals it is built on no longer exist, so Golden Hour can only be had once, in this exact form. Built by hand by Andrea Li in her Denver studio.
The purple in these Herkimer diamonds comes 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): 19 inches
Drop: How far the necklace hangs down onto your chest: 3 inches
Extension Chain: This necklace is adjustable with a 6-inch chain at the back.
• Complete the set with the matching Golden Hour Earrings.
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 24k gold vermeil ovals were rescued from a fellow jeweler's retired inventory, bought off her hands when she pivoted from a boho earring line to custom engagement rings.
They arrive in two sizes and alternate along the collar, ovals edged in 3mm mystic labradorite with gemstones threaded through the center, then open ovals each holding one larger stone.
Nothing in this collar was made to be repeated, because the component it is built on no longer exists.
Where these gold vermeil ovals came from| Golden Hour | Typical alternative | |
|---|---|---|
| Center stone | Large aquamarine nugget, framed inside a 24k gold vermeil oval drop edged with purple Herkimer diamonds | Single stone pendant on a plain chain |
| Metal | 24k gold vermeil ovals (large x7, small x6), 14k gold-filled wire | Gold-plated base metal or vermeil with no provenance |
| Construction | One of a kind, hand-built in Denver; assembled once, never repeated | Mass-produced, repeated across hundreds of units |
| Focal detail | Alternating pattern — labradorite-edged ovals with center gems, open ovals with blue topaz and copper aquamarine | Uniform repeating links with no variation |
| Cluster | Mixed beryl (crown cut), baroque angel-wing pearls, morganite, sapphires, moonstone, amethyst, chalcedony | No cluster, or a single decorative bead |
| Provenance | Vermeil ovals rescued from a retired jeweler's best-selling design — a second life in a new form | New stock with no story |
What makes Herkimer diamonds sparkle like that?
Herkimer diamonds are a naturally double-terminated variety of quartz found in Herkimer County, New York. Because they form freely in the rock rather than being cut by a lapidary, they develop their own facets and termination points, which gives them an unusually clear, high-brilliance sparkle without any cutting at all. The purple Herkimers edging the central drop oval in Golden Hour are particularly vivid; read more in my Herkimer diamond gemstone guide.
Is this necklace one of a kind?
Yes. Golden Hour is one of a kind, built once and never repeated. The vermeil ovals came from a fellow jeweler's retired design, and I built this collar around them by hand in my Denver studio. Once it sells, this exact necklace is gone. No two pieces I make ever carry the same cluster.
Are there matching earrings?
Yes. The Golden Hour Earrings are the companion piece in this set, also built on 24k gold vermeil ovals with baroque pearls, so the two read as one complete look worn together or apart.
How do I care for baroque pearls?
Pearls are organic gems and relatively soft (about 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale), so they need a little extra care. Put Golden Hour on last and take it off first, keeping it away from perfume, lotion, and hairspray. Wipe it gently with a soft damp cloth after wearing and store it separately from harder pieces. You can find more detail in my pearl gemstone guide.
