![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EzUSAbqFjn9w0VQ_PVHwAQUOeXjos0Xd2-RoAkO23cHb8R31pgfAEZhs_EhhVU3zlkaTwbzXa1u2i1xDM5xXzW-O3Sf26ytTRQBcMj9dTW9aQqbyGWBOPa_CaMBW5-1cvE9XUGMRX6s/s400/chanelbibnecklace.jpg)
I'm very fond of the 2009/2010 CHANEL Cruise collection (as opposed to their Spring 2010 haute couture collection) and the accompanying accessories.
The large decorative bejeweled neck pieces referred to as plastrons, are a stunning accessory to the line.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQF_k_QGjjZhg7deOlGBEqiV6xkX6jdBybZ-I9aXnCu8blgQTze9zYSfDgsLgQhBoxdV_FrwsAwRYSUY3ZoZENust1zvZDgDfW4i9rV71ayzFC2SNG_mcWe59tW-g6wZyVWBJlve2YBw/s400/Picture+16.png)
Here's how they created the beautiful plastron, a Venetian bib necklace with resin and cast stones that is part of their Cruise 2009/2010 collection of jewels, shown above and below:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIczjNjTT_TAchROaXnMSjKUwY5EIBqnGi0buuReBw4U_sDB_JE3CuieEa9vZGuudwqe12eW8HQiHO3-IlXTqYKSa__jYpbxZqKMibI2oRM8EUvxHMgjc2BgyzsB62q3GC7MzalimuYw/s400/Picture-22.jpg)
above photo by Karl Lagerfeld
A resin shaft, made in advance, serves as a model for the parts of the necklace:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYa1yNtrVb5zAUgzmPJibXi8ssyuQCaIbN44ahuGuvfADUkn1WD3LMrYO8rZM0Ky_qHssLKOCyDIxDbVqh1VmdSvb_DbQjGxG3v51X_6H55CwEMsCTjWNy8m27JxuJIJui3MqPkFK3MA/s400/Picture-13.jpg)
The glass rods are heated with a torch:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a4uTKYUOj2dvVpjyL7FNF8hPUyU7Wu2kREkAjvD5XeMRe9g9O-IJ2vjRZ9sMOm-xbJ6PZNsX7g1oOHWoYizqzNKm15fDplGL4kuOxDita6ymtT5yMA9s32IuH2CAwSE5GIslv90CxtM/s400/Picture-16.jpg)
The glass is then poured into each piece of the necklace according to the studio sketch:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm4X8HUeJ8DJibwLJZClI_iPLnowRpeh3zZvG6PcM6kX4jSPQ6YZhF3kb16AauoJ-ivddo3QBN-pphsblYqdjeONw2ERgCbjlvd4g_aTMv3lWgKcYUReLX_iK8EpMJUhd8wgMlBuci-w/s400/Picture-17.jpg)
The imprint of the chamber is made in a silicone mold. All of the pieces are then gilded in "galva", an acid that enables the gilding of pewter and iron:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUlBsqndILW7MPlNk3nEWu9dU6h8MwdbpEX91xFZC0A0wCHsuvtRVwY0W9nKy3-naWgeAgKxnccwpU7FrUQnCYpxbrvoBdaZzjx0rjnlMDgHvKGHDEcBDNOYtKyJ5pMI91YrGSF67Ly4/s400/Picture-18.jpg)
The backs of the pieces of the necklace are polished in order to obtain an 'aged' effect, with a sparkling resin. Then, all the pieces of the necklace are joined with solder:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8xSHrSlKE_dp5gAhYwEbgqQvJli1eT1gF_TvbyVJ29x5pyMSiR-JI-dsXJ9iabu2DtKkvHd27DdCNZApNo0bb1X_7Y7Tem74nF6RzCnRhmqRNEqKOaiH6Siw0BVxNpk2JiDr2qzmPxE/s400/Picture-19.jpg)
The heart at the center of the chamber is drawn using a syringe filled with red enamel:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiv4Kx3twmis5ANSlYmBZe5o-VlM12Ag-G24KuUEYF0O_xT0iKmDZ_cLL7GHtmZh9ESQlKN7UrZk3aqNpKgJpSD1-qOxHUZ0x_Y2LR6M-Desc10QQWkZhSOKHarqSvEyVNlcI86DVxZI/s400/Picture-20.jpg)
and voila!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYE0OhwtiC_3K7fHEu5JC2B6K17aFMUZr4qMpbczk-BgfQTBpcUXroyl0hd8d77iNokzi24q-O47iYwPHYdwCXgLv4XtuzK9KrIYHkUDnU-rIP_6vQwxfIO_EcbP7UeE_oq39c2xTf-Gs/s400/Picture+25.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEb_P2TJAdZ_erhioEmFYRPkir3eMsLUFTN26iNO001d7_1ejoAULkt763QQkRRXLF5ObK7MoXhEG7DqsJ5uFD3P6oj8qw4JNfxfaSbiUi5W2_2xwPzYqOtR29kcktZL4YDaEflOuM2I/s400/chanel+bib+necklace.jpg)
all images courtesy of Chanel