This necklace is made with an antique Chinese porcelain shard from the Ching Dynast (1644-1911 A. D.)  wrapped in 18k gold vermeil and topped with a carved carnelian bead that is carved with a dragon.    It picks up the color of the robe of the Chinese man on the shard which is orange and blue.   The painting on the shard is of a man and boy in colorful dress.  The shard is 1 3/4” by 1 1/4” and with the carnelian bead drops 3 1/4” from a black natural leather cord that is adjustable from 15” to 30” so it can be worn a variety of lengths.

Chinese porcelain was hand painted (therefore, not reproducible) and handed down from one generation to another.  They are the recovered pieces of vases and other objects of art that were destroyed and buried during China's Cultural Revolution.  These highly valued pieces were mostly the works of distinguished artists of their time, prized for their quality and workmanship.

The dragon is the imperial emblem of the Emperors in China, especially from the from the Han period where their coat of arms shows two dragons fighting for the fiery pearl.  The dragon is a supernatural creature and is the symbol of power, strength, wisdom and goodness.  It represents the utmost in accomplishment: good luck and a successful life. It is also believed to be the guardian of hidden treasures.  It represents the spirit of growth and change.

At one time only nobility owned carnelian and many times they were buried with this stone.  The most highly prized carnelian is a deep red to red-orange color.