Fine jewelry brand Buddha Mama is known for making colorful, trendsetting designs that often incorporate time-honored iconography. This one-of-a-kind necklace, which renders a pharaoh’s skull in ultrafine detail, was the first piece created for a collection inspired by the rich symbolism of ancient Egypt. Dakota Badia, designer for the Miami-based brand, says the piece is one of her favorites by the atelier, and envisions its being worn “by someone funky, for sure.”

Skull & Stones

The eclectic piece, set in 20k yellow gold, features a 61.62 ct. gray moonstone skull set with 2.44 cts. t.w. diamonds, 1.52 cts. t.w. blue sapphires, 0.25 ct. t.w. rubies, and 0.15 ct. t.w. turquoise. At press time, it was available for $28,400.

Crown Jewels

The trickiest part of creating the skull was “finding which gemstone squares or baguettes would frame the headdress properly,” says Badia, daughter of Buddha Mama founder Nancy Badia. “We wanted to make sure it looked nice and full.”

Thai Hands

Badia estimates that three to four craftspeople, including a master stone-setter, worked on the piece in a Thai factory. Buddha Mama typically collaborates with them via email.