Tama by JLL Pearl

Tama starts from a single decision: one pearl, large enough to carry the whole piece. I had been working with 13–14mm round freshwater pearls — AA grade, very round, very bright. I wanted to try mounting one on its own, without anything else beside it.

So the gold macramé on each side holds it in place, and nothing more. In that sense, this single pearl gold macramé bracelet is the simplest thing I make.

Still, it took me a while to be confident enough to make something this spare. A bracelet with a single element either works or it does not.

One Pearl, Framed

The gold macramé sections flank the pearl on each side, tight enough to hold it without covering it. On each side, a small gold flower spacer also sits between the macramé and the pearl. That keeps the pearl centred on the wrist. The pearl itself is 13–14mm, which is on the larger end of what I work with. That size was the point.

Adjustable Fit

This single pearl gold macramé bracelet closes with a sliding knot instead of a clasp. The grey satin cord adjusts smoothly until the fit is right. Two small freshwater pearls finish the cord ends and hold the sliding knot in place. Tama sits flat against the wrist and moves naturally with it.

Tama also arrives in its JLL Pearl pouch with a certificate of authenticity. Because this is a natural freshwater pearl, each piece has its own slight variations in surface and colour.

Materials

• 1 round freshwater pearl, 13–14mm, quality AA
• Gold-plated flower-shaped spacers
• Golden macramé cord
• Grey satin sliding cord
• 2 small freshwater pearl cord finials