The Cleopatra Necklace

Legend has it Cleopatra once dissolved a pearl in a glass of wine just to win a bet. We'd rather wear ours. The Cleopatra is our most glamorous piece: a sweep of white pearls in alternating sizes that meets in a graceful V, then spills into a fringe of fine gold chains.

Tucked into that fringe are two tiny shells found on Martha's Vineyard, a ridged [spiral shell] in soft blush and a smooth [white shell], plus a single seed pearl at the very end. The chains fall at different lengths, so everything sways and catches the light as you move.

Every shell is one of a kind, so the ones on your necklace will carry their own shape and coloring. Regal enough for a black-tie wedding, but it looks just as good with a sundress and bare shoulders.