Our North Star
A coral necklace of beautiful vintage barrel coral, leaning to the salmon side, around an antique “Croix du Sud”, or Southern Cross: not a religious emblem but a celestial compass, guiding Saharan nomads beneath the vast Moroccan sky. The pendant was forged in silver 100 to 200 years ago. I do not purchase any new coral, only vintage or older.
$400.00
- Designed and handmade in Montréal
- Ships insured and tracked across Canada
- Returns within 14 days
Vintage coral and an antique compass
Each pendant is an exquisite example of ancestral craftsmanship. Once worn as a protective talisman and symbol of identity, its intricate geometric design embodies the harmony between faith, navigation and artistry. Time has lent each piece a unique patina, with hand-etched details and soulful imperfections that tell stories of journeys across desert sands.
It shares its name with the collection. Our North Star stands for what is right, no matter the storm: even in darkness, there are lights to steer by.
See the Our North Star collection of north star necklaces
Coral is soft and porous and needs its own care. Read how to care for coral and antique silver
Details
- Antique silver “Croix du Sud” (Southern Cross) pendant, 100 to 200 years old
- Vintage barrel coral, salmon toned
- Length:17 inches (ask me about a change)
- Weight:245 grams
- Designed and handmade in Montréal, Québec
Environmental Impact Statement
At 245 grams, this necklace’s reuse of existing materials is estimated to avoid 35 kg of CO₂e, roughly the tailpipe emissions of driving 140 kilometres in an average car, and 531 litres of freshwater.
Estimated environmental savings are based on the materials and weights in this piece and Asymmetric by Design’s proprietary environmental-impact model, commissioned by Asymmetric by Design and developed by Oxia Initiative. Results estimate the impact avoided by reusing existing materials instead of sourcing an equivalent quantity of newly produced, mined or sourced material. Figures are modelled estimates, not direct measurements.
Questions about this coral necklace
Is vintage coral jewelry ethical to buy?
Some coral species are endangered, so the trade in coral is regulated internationally under CITES. My answer is to buy none of it new: I do not purchase any new coral, only vintage or older, and every coral bead in my work is reused. (source: GIA)
Is it legal to make jewelry out of coral?
It depends on the coral and the place. International trade in some species is restricted under CITES, and coral sold must follow local laws. Reusing vintage coral, as I do, avoids buying new coral at all.
