About

Pearls have been revered around the world and throughout history as rare, beautiful objects. Part of their allure is the fact that they are created by such an unassuming creature as the mollusk. Clams and mussels are homely individuals, and yet, from within their coarse shells come already-perfect spherical treasures that radiate iridescence. A pearl requires nothing to make it more beautiful—no other precious gemstone in the world has that quality.

An ancient Hindu myth tells how the blue-skinned deity Krishna was the first to discover a pearl. It was the eve of his daughter’s wedding, and wanting only the best gift for Pandaia, he searched the world for something equal to her beauty. He considered giving her a rainbow halo from the Air, or a ruby from the Earth to adorn her forehead. He could have given her a meteor from Fire to light her path, but when Krishna came to the Sea, and reached down into its depths, he came upon the perfect thing. Searching the ocean floor, the god felt something round in shape, with a rough texture and ragged edge – but inside the mussel shell Krishna found the most perfect, most round, most brilliantly lustrous object he had ever seen. It was a pearl, and it was just about as beautiful as Pandaia. The story of Krishna’s gift to his daughter in the Veda was the first written record of the ancient link between pearls and marriage; many still honor this tradition today.

Artist

Originally from San Francisco, Rebecca McNerney has been living in Phoenix, Arizona, for the past twenty-five years, where she designs and creates jewelry out of her home studio. Rebecca aspired to be a fashion designer as a kid, but her interest in jewelry design didn't begin until her golden retriever, Riley, broke piece of jewelry she had inherited from her grandmother. Rebecca decided to learn how to fix the piece herself, which in turn inspired her to go to night school for metalsmithing.

Rebecca enjoys silence and the sounds of the neighborhood while she's working. Her work has a similar peaceful, familiar feel to it. "All of my designs are very simple, and focus on the intrinsic beauty of the materials," Rebecca says. An interest in fiber arts and textiles has been a strong influence in her design work.

During the rest of her life, Rebecca is an avid reader, devouring two to three books per week in between her other interests which include hiking, walking, and watching films. Along with her husband Michael, Rebecca shares her home with Max the rescue dog, two desert tortoises and a box turtle. Her sons are away at college.

Details

• crafted with recycled sterling silver
• .75"x.4" flat silver leaf charm
• 5mm freshwater white pearl charm
• 18" sterling silver cable chain
• TLC for your sterling silver and pearl jewelry