Statement necklaces done well

I have a love-hate relationship with bib necklaces and other pieces usually marked "statement." I think they can very easily be done badly ... and often are. The exceptions, though, can be really fantastic. I've favorited a few around Etsy and Flickr and thought I'd share them today:

Wonderful details. This is a great piece of sculpture that also functions as jewelry. See how the color blending reflects the story as you follow the sculpted figures across the necklace? Gorgeous.

Well-used brights. Yellow is a hard color to use well. This is the lemon-lime palette done right.

Perfect lines. This one manages to get a wonderfully organic look because all the components are arranged so they flow into each other. No odd breaks. No staring stand-out objects. No garish work-ins. Just a fluid composition.

Perfect balance. This one proves that a symmetrical piece can still be interesting and eye-catching.

Imbalance done well. And this one shows that it doesn't have to be symmetrical ... and also, it's a great example of that whimsical rarity, colorful steampunk.

Framing the face. A beautiful example of large style that flatters instead of overpowering.

Just chunky enough. This one's definitely big and bold, but there's a sensible restraint in the color palette that keeps it bright without being too-too-much.

Wearable art. This puts paper collage and handmade beads into the necklace and makes it contribute to the harmony, not take away from it. A personal favorite.

Artistic assemblage. And this one shows that a found-object creation doesn't have to look like a collection of afterthoughts: it can be eclectic and exquisite at the same time.


And what qualifies me to judge whether someone has interpreted a style well? Why, absolutely nothing! ... except that I've been doing this a long time, and I know the good stuff when I see it. Those are the good stuff.