A nearly impossible design for other jewelry designers - but not at Akalei Designs! This necklace is very popular because of the use of Black, Purple and Blue colored glass beads from across the globe. This Haku Lei was designed using large glossy black Rose Petal Glass Beads then segmented in the 11" focal section with vibrant multi-colored blue, purple, gold long drop beads and accented with glossy black seed beads on both ends. This necklace has a sleek feel and drapes beautifully when worn.
You will absolutely love it - and even better it is a perfect gift for a wedding or anniversary.The black magnetic end cap helps to keep it secure around your neck and makes it easy to put on and take off with a twist.
This unique glass beaded braid, available exclusively at Akalei Designs, was inspired by the beautiful floral Haku (also known as Po’o) Lei traditionally worn around the head. Akalei is Hawaiian for "bead reflections" which describes this unique necklace lei design style handcrafted only here on Maui. We reinterpret traditional Hawaiian Lei using a vast assortment of glass and natural beads, Japanese silk and synthetic fibers, and a wide variety of braiding techniques and inspirations from across the globe.
This beautiful hand made lei was made using hundreds of glass Japanese seed beads on multiple cords that are woven together on a wooden marudai stand (in a kongo gumi braid pattern), then finished with a very powerful gold toned magnet end cap.
The necklace is woven together using an ancient Japanese braiding technique called Kumihimo, a Japanese word for “gathered threads". This art form goes back hundreds of years as braids were made for use in armor for Japanese samurai warriors. In modern times these braids are designed as belts (obijime) that are worn as a belt with a kimono.