Atlas Necklace

I have a nickel allergy that makes most necklaces a two-hour experiment before I give up. This one I put on in April and have worn essentially nonstop since. No itching, no red line along the chain, no rash where the pearl rests. I sleep in it, work out in it and shower in it, and heat and sweat usually make my reactions worse rather than better. Three months on my skin has stayed completely clear. Finding a chain I can actually live in has been worth far more than what I paid.

I fully expected to take this off before getting in the ocean and then I just never did. Six days of snorkeling in Key Largo, salt water twice a day, sunscreen and a rinse in the outdoor shower every evening. The baroque pearl still has the same soft glow it had in the box, no chalky patches or peeling anywhere. The rope chain came out just as bright, including all the little twists where I assumed grit would collect. Nothing has loosened at the bail either, which was my other worry. It has been my everyday water necklace ever since and it still looks new.

Twisted chains are usually where tarnish hides on my plated pieces, right down in the grooves. I have worn this since late February through daily showers, perfume, sunscreen and a very sweaty spring. Every groove of the rope is still the same warm gold, no shadowy links and no dull stretch at the back of my neck. The clasp and extender have held their color perfectly too. My old rope chain from a department store had gone patchy within six weeks, so this is a genuine upgrade. Four months in and I have not had to polish it once.

I've slept in it for weeks and never woken up with it tangled or pressing anywhere. It's that light. I basically only take it off to shower.

For something this elegant the packaging felt like an afterthought. I moved it into a proper box before giving it as a birthday present. The necklace itself was received extremely well.

Every faux pearl I have owned started flaking around the drill hole within weeks. This one has been through months of water and daily wear with no chipping at all. The surface is still perfectly smooth.