Delbert Crespin is a Santo Domingo artist who makes classic banded stripe disk bead necklaces and also makes elaborate mosaic inlay necklaces. His inlay work is "primitive" and meant to be evocative of early Santo Domingo creations.

We bought one of the first prototypes of this style necklace from Delbert Crespin in 2007. At that time he was just developing this design of necklace and there were fewer mosaic inlay plates integrated into the design. He's now mastered the design and makes these necklaces rich beyond compare in terms of the individually inlaid mosaic plates which make up this Cleopatra-style necklace. Each necklace is different but all have in common an extraordinary richness of color scheme and geometric design. The mosaic inlay work is done on a foundation of jet and these necklaces remain light and comfortable as they are made in a choker length. The necklace includes a 4" Sterling detachable extension chain to adjust the length and experimenting with the length by using the extension chain will result in finding exactly the right length which makes this necklace hang perfectly on your body. Until now, Delbert's most beautiful mosaic inlay work in necklaces was only available in longer and heavier necklaces. This allows someone who is not five feet ten inches or taller the opportunity to wear some of his finest mosaic work. This style necklace, of course, will work for taller people, whereas his largest mosaic inlay necklaces work only for tall people. Match this with a pair of Delbert's mosaic inlay earrings, or earrings by his daughter Chaslyn Crespin.

In terms of the length, the measurement around the inside (shortest length)of the necklace is about 18". Measuring around the outside perimeter of the necklace and the tip of the center plate is about 21". The Sterling extension chain represents an additional four inches in length.

Mosaic inlay plates: center 1 3/4/4" x 1 5/8"; near catch 1 1/2" x 5/8"

Materials used in mosaic inlay: Kingman turquoise, jet, melon shell, apple coral, mother of pearl, white clam shell, green serpentine, pipestone, abalone & phosphosiderite (purple)

Jet heishi beads: 3/16" diameter

Length: 18" + 4" chain (detachable)