![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURKxs1Zq2ibeTMeyaKV8x45tS5rfmX1N1GbUeON_LbhXC5lacia_wlKay_vpvGuHl68STXDW1XxTyA5VTA_pUaeru3f81QtKHCGS2N_8AeJ_x9e2WOzh61HykDmniU6c_Ri9k35zR6PU/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/AVvXsEgr3DAy4t0z28ijRL385gNpePcNC4O1K1HTB3yqs1XzSmbAeyjTKTxJWF6sZRJQ1SjyL6M8NcnAZUvalPeBTI2iaCL9cPeebY4US00ry-oW7IFk08rw3H55sQV3WsL-k4L3bGQ_lhs9RFk/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/AVvXsEixRFqpIsSo8aPeaD-3NMfe_hjOpylxKi5-O7lFyBsTit0aWhL9IaXkr-36cKxaV5X8eokIPCRzcyC-32RL6NMoYx1MYxWGlDgo6130628FdD-iWjhB8itQ8nsmHa_BKLOoCokkE_RHR20/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/AVvXsEgdMr7SuCyKg5z3Usf_dfgoCTpqLD2hb7POfY12s8q_MTlZXsXGIo9qUxyj9G_8x-XMyjYyL1oaUcoy9aRPVLb-2d5xgpNqor480_ILr-978KiIfPdISupKmDy0Q7o2jFLIHIysQm5nKRM/s400/Picture-13.jpg)
The glass rods are heated with a torch:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvHvIEM4QAQo8CRMpJXpNCsuOz96PQ72deTG1u1huPJ6FZZX7Ko2xEV7iVkrCD8kEQm6rPcNtAHtBvEvVycsiK5bgrbTKrLRAUCRLI5XB898j55jQlhJOibiQnq0aLcQ8xgAZBuPHKYU/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/AVvXsEisc8FqtqrpVp3v92SCxEJLWpueSXpjSmvH9tTprtyzPyvFYZt4IXeNFgQLsuLAUX1GlIiN8zCk0anup4BPVb45pG3lJXoZvKy1z2jTH97DQE0qnjDPFJ7zrHJfi2etdh7xmOghj5LUPdw/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/AVvXsEh0TnBKVBtfbC_c6MOI4crU8Gb9yOqAHwWN_Ry9ksRtB4UJjoHh_vM16kYG73iviskKSrmhRv525EY5PEBg6kocAipNFLPGqM8bMDIe_VnZWUcnciGd-0VqnGmXYWn1amtyF_ddWH3Wu1I/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/AVvXsEgNB9M8VsozyVCm0HTn7UkPicUfeggMnNvWwboyzJz1gUUQ2B8UEyNhTodRSvJZGYmGAjZxK4Qb5KLDMTcx7O4lmxn4sPSq8oppfLaEK3b3rAYESTGaP4YwbDclnTEjfpkhUGvRe5Abbs8/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/AVvXsEjuMu8aI_Hj1xjizMkN_xEteiNBNaQo8L7bvZn1mzoiqomStkJsz_aOorIrQVUm0PG0XKFo2EaB6zKqZ9kilNzcPRI2yDt2cpjmGGVsyAosG0FP2zTac_UWglriy5i0GK_PzcKGoT8oFQY/s400/Picture-20.jpg)
and voila!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYSNQfSeEt8Y_RYfCWf3Q1p0B4sAHt3s4yAtnp9eTlGMRjVqF0JQwiEwfQ_ZTLuWQ0AAa7viVD5B2FAgVo9Pb3Olnzu8pUSAU4WWLlo_UaMt06ZZM8ClYk6YGUSjrYqHbj4mA5xcsixs/s400/Picture+25.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgx_wVHFhQP1wXJGhN5fiL6d5Sj2vuTFUG7623D44WKuh8HxZHBzkbWXiRw7JpWaAHu9JTO9dQ9-Qz3gRsQ_04sEiJnNJRN6ZUdA7Q_AO-i4KTZEzc4_tIVkP7GaROiM3EoVO3J7eQ6g/s400/chanel+bib+necklace.jpg)
all images courtesy of Chanel