2014
Cinnabar

In its original form, cinnabar is crystallized red mercuric sulphide, the main ore bearing mercury. And it is extremely poisonous.

Cinnabar has been used for thousands of years as a coloring agent because of its intense red-orange color and is commonly referred to as vermillion or Chinese red. One of the most popularly known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquerware, a technique that has its origins during the Song Dynasty. 

In the modern jewelry industry, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that approximates the appearance of pigmented lacquer.

A beautiful vermillion cinnabar is carved with the stylised Chinese character for happiness. It is framed by Japanese Delica beads in a simple bezel. A richly embellished silky tassel hangs from the focal cinnabar to swing gracefully and gently with every movement.

The pendant is hung from a pentagonal right angle weave rope woven from hundreds of black beads. The clasp is a small cinnabar bead carved with a traditional lotus motif.