Several years ago one of the beading magazines showed a faux-tourmaline necklace made with large glass seed beads. At the time I was entranced with it, but couldn't find the beads in the proper colours and similar finishes. I gave up after a bit, and the idea crept off, Gollum-like, into the darkest recesses of what we may, in charity, call my mind. Many years later, in the wee hours of the morning, I sat bolt upright in bed shouting 'CRYSTAL!' ... to the considerable annoyance of my husband, you may be certain. Long story only slightly longer, what you see here is ten strands of Swarovski crystal, graduated in colour to resemble one of those mesmerising tourmaline necklaces I see on offer at bead shows. The clasp is a favourite of mine: sterling silver birds that look like the peacocks drawn by monks in the The Book of Kells.