The cocoa necklace in three metals, the flower nest pendant and a long station necklace, and how to layer botanical pendants

Why do I think a necklace is the most personal piece you can own?
A necklace sits over your heart. You touch it without noticing. That’s not poetry, watch yourself on the next call.
The one I wear most is Anitanja’s banana necklace, a curved pendant and a new design coming to the shop soon, so watch her necklaces. I wear it constantly.
Anitanja Lawaetz designs three nature inspired necklaces you can buy today, all from St Lucia, all made by hand by artisans in Bali, and every piece ships from the UK. They’re in the necklaces collection.
What is the cocoa necklace?
The cocoa necklace is a nature inspired necklace with a single cacao pod pendant on a fine chain, the necklace of the cocoa collection, and you choose it in brass, 18ct gold plate or sterling silver.
Should you choose brass, 18ct gold plate or sterling silver?
You should choose brass for a warm, slightly antique gold tone, 18ct gold plate for a bright gold surface, and sterling silver for a cool tone you can polish back to new. Match it to the jewellery you already wear most.
| Metal | What it is | Looks | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | An alloy of copper and zinc | Warm, antique gold | Darkens with wear; polish to brighten |
| 18ct gold plate | A thin layer of gold over a base metal | Bright gold | Keep dry; plating wears with friction |
| Sterling silver | 92.5 per cent silver | Cool, white | Tarnishes; polishes back easily |
What does a cocoa pod pendant mean?
A cocoa pod pendant means value and the bonds between people: the Maya drank cacao at weddings and the Aztecs used cacao beans as money. Read the full cocoa story.
What is the flower nest pendant?
The flower nest pendant is the most delicate nature inspired necklace she makes, a botanical pendant that cradles a flower inside a woven, nest like setting, part of the leaf and flower collection.


Why does a flower pendant feel healing?
A flower pendant feels healing because, in Yoruba and Candomblé tradition, plants belong to Ọ̀sanyìn, the orisha of healing. Carrying a flower over your heart is a gentle way to hold that idea. More in leaf earrings and lily pad studs.
What is the island station necklace?
The island station necklace is the longest nature inspired necklace in the range, a chain set with small textured discs at intervals, from the ocean and coral collection, made to be worn long over linen or doubled for a shorter layer.

Which nature inspired necklace should you buy first?
You should buy the cocoa necklace first if you want one necklace to wear every day, the flower nest pendant if silver suits you better than gold, and the island station necklace if you already own pendants and want a long chain to layer them over.
Think about what you’ll wear it with on an ordinary Tuesday, not on holiday. The necklace that goes with your most worn top is the one you’ll actually wear.
Can you wear a necklace in the shower?
You shouldn’t wear a necklace in the shower, because soap, shampoo and hot water dull gold plate and speed up tarnish on silver and brass. Take it off with your clothes and put it back on last.
How long should a necklace be?
Necklace length decides where the eye lands. A nature inspired necklace should be the length that puts the pendant where you want eyes to land: around 16 inches sits near the base of the neck, around 18 inches falls on the collarbone and is the most common choice, and 20 to 24 inches drops towards the neckline of a top.
Check the length in each product’s Materials or Size and fit section before you buy, and hold a piece of string to your neck at that length if you’re unsure. It sounds silly. It works.
How do you layer nature inspired necklaces without tangling them?
Layering is easy once you know the rule. You layer nature inspired necklaces without tangling by wearing three different lengths, short, medium and long, so each pendant has its own space and the chains never sit on top of each other.
Should you mix gold and silver?
You can mix gold and silver if you do it on purpose, with at least two of each, so it looks chosen. One silver chain among golds looks like a mistake.

How do you look after a necklace?
You look after a nature inspired necklace by fastening the clasp before you store it, keeping perfume off it and taking it off for the sea and for sleep.
- Fasten the clasp before storing so the chain can’t knot.
- Perfume first, necklace after.
- Off for swimming, showering and sleeping.
- Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing.
So which piece would I choose first?
The cocoa necklace in the metal you already wear. It’s the one piece in the collection that carries the whole story at your throat.
Thanks for reading! @queenofvitality
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