White Copper Garuda Antique Pendant

A single Garuda pendant is freer than a fitting like the three-hole bead. No strand rules apply: cord length and how high it hangs are yours to decide, and at the chest, at the collarbone or over a sweater it reads differently each time. This one is antiqued white copper, the color pressed toward gray, the shadowed parts of the wings sunk down while the bright faces still show the copper underneath. White copper is not as bright as silver; the light off it is matte, so from a distance it looks old, and only up close does the detail come out.

How well the antiquing is done is where this kind of piece shows its work. Good antiquing is black through the hollows, evenly bright on the raised surfaces, with a brown transition in between, like old copper that has aged in air. Work done in a hurry leaves black sitting on the surface that a fingernail lifts to show the base, and after a fortnight the corners go first. On arrival, look at the feather tips and the claw tips; those are where color rubs off first. Light antiquing runs gray, heavy runs black, and the two layer differently under light. Take your pick.

The joints of the claw are thought through. Three toes forward, one back, the grip has to read as a grip, and the swell of each knuckle cannot blur into a stick. The tips taper sharp, but not so sharp they cut; the pendant lies against skin, and sharp is uncomfortable. Feathers run from shoulder to tail in one direction. A plate growing against the flow looks messy under light, and that is not style, it is layout. The back is usually plainer with more open space, and turning it over shows how tight or loose the work is.

The cord makes a large difference. Waxed cord is soft, so the pendant lies against the chest and does not swing when you walk; leather is stiff and holds the face out flat, but goes tacky with summer sweat; a metal chain is the cleanest and also the quickest to wear the color off the hole. That ring of wear cannot be hidden, and if it bothers you, thread a short piece of silicone tube through the hole. It costs almost nothing and saves a lot of regret. Tie the knot two fingers above the piece and leave it a little room so it does not rub the same spot forever.

White copper contains nickel. If your skin is sensitive, tape the piece to the inside of your wrist for half a day first. If it reddens, wear it over a layer of cloth rather than against skin. Take it off to shower; the surfactants in body wash are hard on antiquing. When it is not being worn, wrap it in paper before it goes into a bag. Paper takes up moisture and is better than dropping it straight into a sealed pouch. White copper is far softer than steel, so do not hold it in pliers to ease the hole; the jaws leave two tooth marks.