Cinnabar Butterfly

“Cinnabar found in nature is a red mineral containing mercury. ... Today, we know that mercury is toxic and shouldn't be worn next to the skin, so the cinnabar used in jewelry is actually wood that is stained and covered by layers of lacquer. While the final layer is still soft, it is pressed with an image or hand-carved.”

Large Cinnabar butterfly - Wing span 64mm, height 40mm - hanging on a 2mm micro-faceted spinel necklace,. Length is 18.5” including silver bolt ring.