Southern Hemisphere Necklace and Bracelet Set - Distance measured in Beads

$143.00

Shipping to United States: Free

Southern Hemisphere
Latitudes 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75
Necklace and Bracelet Set
Distance measured in Beads

1 bead = ~50 miles / 80.5 kilometers

Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere!

A series of 5 beaded necklaces and a bracelet,
each one depicting a "slice" of the world,
crossing through a diverse selection of terrain and civilizations,
along the Latitudes of the South:
the Equator, 15 South, 30 South, 45 South, 60 South, and 75 South.

Distances are roughly proportional,
with each bead representing approximately 50 miles / 80.5 kilometers
of Great Circle distance.

Water, Land, and Cities are marked on the strands,
creating a wearable map:
a bare-bones geolocation device built with stone-age technology.*

Water is represented by shiny deep blue glass beads.

Land is a combination of frosted green glass,
in spring green and evergreen shades,
with natural stone beads marking the mountains
and changes in elevation.

Cities are marked with shiny dichroic glass beads:
this necklace includes densely-populated cities
on or near the Latitudes represented.
If you would like any other cities marked,
please mention it in the "note to seller" area.

A magnetic clasp snaps each necklace together at Longitude 180,
the International Date Line over the Pacific Ocean.

If you would like to mark a special location on the necklace,
I can add a decorative copper bead at the location of your choice:
just send a conversation through Etsy, and let me know where you want it!

Each necklace can be worn individually,
or the magnetic clasps snap them together:
when placed in the correct order,
they can only snap together in the correct formation.

*Not for use in actual Land or Sea Navigation.

The Equator features the following landmarks:
(clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Pacific Ocean
Isla Isabella, Galapagos Islands
Quito, Ecuador
Anapa, Brasil
Atlantic Ocean
Sao Tome
Libreville, Gabon
Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angumu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bulambo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kampala, Uganda
Nairobi, Kenya
Jamaame, Somalia
Indian Ocean
Sumatra, Indonesia
Singapore
Kabu patu, Borneo
Sanggau, Borneo
Molucca Sea
Maluku Islands
Halmahera Sea
Irian Jaya Islands
Nauru Islands
Marshall Islands
International Date Line (clasp)

15 South features the following landmarks:
(counter-clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Pacific Ocean
Fiji
Vanuatu Islands
Coral Sea
Cairns, Australia
Arafura Sea
Indian Ocean
Antalaha, Madagascar
Antonibe, Madagascar
Nampula, Mozambique
Lake Chilwa
Zomba, Malawi
Namibe, Angola
Atlantic Ocean
Salvador, Brasil
Jabotao des Guararapes, Brasil
Nuestra Senora de la Paz, Bolivia
Lima, Peru
French Polynesia
American Samoa Islands
International Date Line (clasp)

30 South features the following landmarks:
(counter-clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Tasman Sea
Brisbane, Australia
Narrabri, Australia
Lake Eyre
Kalgoorlie, Australia
Geraldton, Australia
Indian Ocean
Durban, South Africa
Maseru, Lesotho
Atlantic Ocean
Porto Alegre, Brasil
Santa Maria, Brasil
Uruguaiana, Brasil
Mar Chiquita
Cordoba, Argentina
La Rioja, Argentina
Coquimbo, Chile
Pacific Ocean
International Date Line (clasp)

45 South features the following landmarks:
(counter-clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Pacific Ocean
Christchurch, New Zealand
Tasman Sea
Hobart, Australia
Atlantic Ocean
Comodoro Riviadavia, Argentina
Cohalque, Chile
International Date Line (clasp)

60 South features the following landmarks:
(counter-clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Pacific Ocean
South Sandwich Islands
Atlantic Ocean
International Date Line (clasp)

75 South features the following landmarks:
(counter-clockwise from top, as seen from South Pole)

Ross Sea
Transantarctic Mountains
Antarctic Peninsula
Amundsen Sea
Wedell Sea
International Date Line (clasp)

Necklace Lengths:
60 South: 16.5 inches / 42 centimeters
45 South: 23 inches / 58 centimeters
30 South: 28 inches / 71 centimeters
15 South: 31.5 inches / 80 centimeters
Equator: 34.5 inches / 87 centimeters

Bracelet Length: 8 inches / 20 centimeters

Magnetic Clasps

Designer: Laura Cesari for Chain of Being - Spring 2011
Based on a pattern from Nature & Civilization

Designer's Note:

Translating latitudes into beads is absolutely fascinating:
I would love to make them all!

Please send a note through Etsy Conversations
if you would like any particular Latitude or Longitude represented in beads.

Please see our "Latitude & Longitude" section for more:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chainofbeing?section_id=8003835

-- Read more about us! --

Interview with designer Laura Cesari, by the Planetary Society:
"The Solar System, in Jewelry Form"
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002565/

Interview with Craftzine:
"Artist Explores Universe through Solar System Necklaces"
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/04/artist_explores_universe_throu.html

Solar System Necklace in "Best of MAKE: 2010":
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/best-of-make-online-2010-crafts.html

More info & updates!
chainofbeing.us
solarsystemnecklace.com

Read More about us!

Interview with designer Laura Cesari, by The Planetary Society:
https://www.planetary.org/articles/2565

Shipping & Policies

Shipping from United States

Processing time

2-3 weeks

Estimated shipping times

  • North America : 1 - 5 business days
  • Europe : 1 - 2 weeks
  • Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 2 weeks

I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.

Customs and import taxes

Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.

Payment Options

Secure options
  • Accepts Etsy gift cards

Returns & Exchanges

I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations

Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery

Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery

  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Items on sale
  • Conditions of return

    Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

    Questions about your order?

    Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes! The Original MiniVerse Proportional Solar System Jewelry!

    Hooray! You've found the original proportional Solar System Jewelry featured by The Planetary Society, NASA, and NPR's Science Friday!

    As with any famous or successful design, please beware of low-quality fakes, counterfeits, and knock-offs.

    In 2010, NASA made a tutorial from our MiniVerse Necklace, and our kit won the Maker Faire Blue Ribbon! Since then, we've seen cheap knock-offs of the design, often copying our name "MiniVerse", without permission. We are not affiliated with these sellers, and cannot provide any guarantees or customer service for their products.

    Here's where you can find our original pieces:
    - Our Etsy shop: chainofbeing.etsy.com
    - Our Amazon shop: www.amazon.com/shops/chainofbeing
    - Our Website: chainofbeing.us

    Custom and personalized orders

    We take requests!
    Please ask about custom designs, custom lengths, or custom clasps.

    We can make any size bracelet, to fit anyone!
    Send a conversation through Etsy or at checkout,
    if you need a specialized length or clasp for any item.

    Most necklaces can be made as a bracelet or anklet, and vice versa, and most items can be made with a lobster-claw or toggle clasp.

    Please note that custom orders may take up to an additional 1-2 weeks.

    Please note, if you order a regular item and then ask for a customization, your item will be considered a custom item and will take up to an additional 2 weeks to complete.

    Care instructions

    We use durable, high-quality Jeweler's-grade beads and wire.

    We test everything, and our jewelry should last a long time under normal fashion jewelry wear conditions.

    But, please note, our items are not "indestructible" :)

    We recommend removing your jewelry before bathing, swimming, sports, or any activity that will place unusual stress on your jewelry.

    These items are not designed to go in the washing machine, dryer, microwave, or dishwasher.

    These items are not designed to be load-bearing (please do not hang anything from them or tie them around something).

    Bulk Discounts & Wholesale

    We can often give a discount if you are buying 3 or more of the same item.
    Please send a conversation through Etsy if you are looking for a wedding set, a group costume, or a small number of items for a special occasion.

    Most items are available Wholesale in lots of 20 or more,
    please send a message via Etsy if you are interested in Wholesale orders.

    Gift wrapping and packaging

    Each item includes a small folding card with a description of the item and space to write.

    Most items are shipped in a small cardboard jewelry box, stamped with our logo.

    Please send us a note if you would like to include a gift message with your order!

    Materials & Variations

    We use high-quality Natural Gemstones for all our Planets! Please expect variations in Gemstone texture and color. We do not use dyed gems. We prioritize quality and color rather than needing to find a specific gem.

    All other beads, such as the spacer beads, Sun, and some of the small rings, are high-quality colorfast glass, glass/stone composite, or mother-of-pearl.

    Occasional variations in stones, clasps & findings may occur, based on trends and availability.

    Our materials are all non-toxic and comply with California's strict Proposition 65 safe materials standards - hooray!

    Rush Items

    *We can’t always rush items, but we’ll try!*
    If you need something to arrive by a certain date,
    such as a birthday, holiday, anniversary, or special occasion,
    please let us know and we'll do our best to get it there on time.

    (Please note, we do not “expedite” orders - your order will still be processed in the order received.)

    We thank you in advance for your patience!
    We are a small, 2-person shop,
    and we make everything ourselves,
    so our process can be delayed
    by emergencies and unforeseen events,
    competition between in-person and online sales,
    or high volumes of orders due to good reviews and holidays.

    If for some reason your order is delayed,
    we will do our best to contact you as soon as we can.

    We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone

    The majority of our customers have been wonderful, however, there are weirdos out there, so we have to set up some rules.

    1) If a customer becomes abusive to us, they will be reported to Etsy. We will not hesitate to invoke Etsy's Anti-Discrimination Policy:
    https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/anti-discrimination-and-hate-speech/123551108902

    2) Orders will be canceled immediately if the buyer has a history of abusive behavior to us or our shop, including offensive messages or offensive language in reviews.

    3) If you have a problem with your order, please contact us through Etsy's messaging system. If you leave negative feedback without contacting us or hearing back from us, will will cancel any of your future orders without hesitation.

    Other things called Chain of Being

    We are not affiliated with any other companies, entities, or religions that use or have used the phrase "Chain of Being".

    As we mentioned in our description above, the name is a pun about science and jewelry. It is based on ancient philosophical texts that are part of the public domain. If other people are using or have used the phrase for other purposes, correctly or otherwise, it is without our approval, support, or association.

    We do not support or ally ourselves with any other companies, entities, or religions using the phrase Chain of Being, correctly or otherwise, now or throughout any time in history.

    Legal imprint