There are many ancient legends in Ireland linked with plants, particularly thorn trees or bushes-likely originating from the belief that they furnished the Crown of Thorns and therefore were sacred. The thorn is also believed to be the meeting place of the faeries and thus can ward off witches.Now in the spring-timely Irish Thorn Collection, Connecticut jewelry artist Michael Michaud uses precious metal and pearls to translate Folklore into Fashion. Employing the lost wax casting method, he creates models from natural elements, resulting in pieces that are not only exquisite but exquisitely detailed and crafted. Like tiny new buds, luminous freshwater pearls sprout from sage-green leaves and stems of hand-patinaed bronze, each finely "veined." The 17" necklace has lobster clasp, 1-1/2" extender. Earrings are 1-1/4" long from the tops of sterling silver French wires. The pin is 3-1/8" long. Hand made in the USA.