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What is Torsade?

This term refers to a necklace, or other piece of jewelry, which is made of many strands which are twisted together, instead of hanging loosely. The finish product is compact and resembles a braid, except that the strands are rolled rather than braided. The technique is normally found in necklaces, but I have also seen earrings and bracelets done with this style.

These necklaces are often made of glass and can be found in many lengths, although a popular length is a choker. Sometimes the resulting torsade is very tight. At other times, the necklace is loosely rolled together to give a Bohemian ethnic look. If the necklace is unrolled, it can also be worn as a normal multi strand necklace. Although found on vintage styles, (Napier jewelry was fond of the design)the use of the torsade is a relatively newer design technique.

Here are some examples of Torsade necklaces and bracelets. (click the pictures for more detail)

To view other articles on other vintage words, please visit the word of the week archives.

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