Necklace of the Maiden

I've seen glass jewels, but never quite like this. The lustre is impeccable, even after being buried in solid rock for years, and even being damaged during recovery. We're only just beginning to understand their skill.

— Envious glassworker

The Necklace of the Maiden is a unique piece of glass jewellery, found in the buried ruins of Wanbarum Crater. Named for the presumed identity of the body found with it, it is on display in a Wanbarum-themed museum in Riyimunburi.

Description

The necklace is remarkably simple in design - a thin silver chain threads through a dozen spherical glass beads, each in a different rainbow hue. Between each large bead is a far smaller grain-sized bead in plain white.
At the halfway point of this is a far larger piece of carved glass, shaped to resemble a diamond, and with the glistening lustre of such. One side of this diamond has had its sharp edges rubbed smooth, likely by the necklace's owner.
It, and the spherical beads, all bear scratches and scuffs, likely from a combination of pre-burial wear, their encasement in solid rock, and the indelicacy of their retrieval.

History

The origins of the necklace are entirely unknown, as none of the writings found in Wanbarum have been able to be deciphered. Nor is much known about its owner - an elf, approximately 20 years old, found in a tattered plain gown clutching the necklace tightly.
This elf, and 'her' prized possession, were found during a Wanbarum excavation in 39 Famine by archaeologist Dyilar Ruugabaan. Dyilar took the necklace as a personal souvenir of the expedition, and was the one to decide the elf must have been some kind of religious figure or temple maiden, giving the necklace its name. Dyilar did not keep the necklace for long, however, as he was gravely injured during a landslide in Wanbarum only a few weeks later, and died shortly after. The necklace was added to all the artefacts recovered by the expedition, with these first being studied and then added to a museum collection.

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable

Rarity

Unique

Controversy

For some, the taking of artefacts from Wanbarum is less 'archaeology' and more 'looting', akin to robbing a graveyard. For these people, the Necklace of the Maiden is one of the worst examples of this, as she was wearing the necklace when she died, rather than it 'merely' being something found near her. The Shyanhol elves in particular have found its presence in the museum to be quite offensive, and have lodged multiple requests for its repatriation.

Graveyard by Scott Rodgerson

I wonder, how would you feel if someone broke into your coffin and stole the very clothes off your back? That is what you've been doing to the people of Wanbarum.

— Chief of the Sulanyeshyutin