Vivienne Westwood
Thames Orb Necklace
The Vivienne Westwood Thames Orb Necklace is a women's necklace made from silver-plated brass and set with crystals, featuring a chain of spherical links and an orb-shaped pendant with a magnetic clasp. It measures 20.5 inches (52 cm) in length and comes with a signature storage box. Consumer reviews indicate that this piece is costume jewelry, with the plating and brass base requiring careful handling to avoid tarnishing; it is often recommended for occasional or special-occasion wear rather than daily use.
- Color
- Silver
- Material
- Silver-plated brass, crystals
- Gender
- female
- Style
- edgy, vintage, glam
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Necklaces
Specifications
Silver-plated brass necklace with oversized spheres and sparkling crystals, featuring a baroque charm and magnetic clasp.
Chain of oversized spheres, engraved magnetic clasp, crystal-embellished logo, signature storage box.
- Color
- Silver · gray
- Material
- Silver-plated brass, crystals
- Style
- edgy, vintage, glam
- Occasion
- party, formal
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Necklaces
Additional Attributes
- chain of oversized spheres
- logo pendant with sparkling crystals
- silver-plated brass construction
- engraved magnetic clasp
- includes signature storage box
- length 20.5 inches (52 cm)
- baroque-inspired design
- eccentric irreverent style
Product Insights
The Thames Orb Necklace by Vivienne Westwood carries a 1985/86 orb motif that fuses the Sovereign's Orb with Saturn's ring, first debuted on the runway in 1987/88 as an anti-establishment symbol that became a cultural signifier over 28 years. Buyers pay for the brand's punk legacy rather than material value, as the necklace is made of silver-plated brass that may contain nickel—posing allergy risks—and has a rigid, oversized-sphere chain that delivers a sculptural collar-like fit but feels less premium than sterling and is uncomfortable for daily wear. The fixed 52cm magnetic clasp grazes the collarbone, offers no length adjustment, and lacks a safety catch, making it suitable only for occasional wear on open necklines; with proper care (wiping after use and storing in a dust bag), it can last 1.5 years without tarnish, but sudden movement may detach the clasp.
Verified claims
- Orb origin
- Orb motif began as a Prince Charles jumper design fusing the Sovereign's Orb with Saturn's ring in 1985/86.
- Runway debut
- First orb pendant debuted in the Harris Tweed Autumn-Winter 1987/88 runway show.
- Cultural significance
- The orb repurposes a royal symbol as anti-establishment fashion, becoming a cultural signifier over 28 years.
- Brand value
- The necklace is made from brass and glass, so its price reflects the brand's iconic orb design rather than material value.
- Allergens
- Contains nickel; may cause allergic reactions in users with sensitive skin.
- Clasp
- The magnetic clasp is designed to hold the necklace's weight, but no specific strength ratings are available; it should be secure for everyday wear, while vigorous activity is best avoided.
- Care routine
- Wipe after each wear and store in the dust bag to prevent tarnish.
- Skin sensitivity
- Silver-plated brass may contain nickel and is not guaranteed nickel-free.
- Fastening
- Snaps together easily one-handed but lacks a safety catch for active use.
- Length adjustment
- Fixed magnetic clasp offers no length adjustment; pendant height varies with neck circumference.
- Length and fit
- 52cm fixed length grazes the collarbone; pendant height depends on neck circumference.
- Chain structure and feel
- The chain's oversized spheres create a rigid, collar-like profile that sits sculpturally around the neck rather than draping softly, adding baroque weight to open necklines.
- Care and daily wear
- Silver-plated brass may contain nickel; keep dry, avoid perfumes; best for occasional, not daily, wear.
- Fit & Wear
- The rigid, collar-like silhouette sits best on open necklines due to the fixed 52cm magnetic clasp.
- Comfort and design
- The rigid, collar-like fit from oversized spheres makes the necklace a statement piece best suited to occasions rather than an understated daily chain.
- Nickel sensitivity
- The Thames Orb Necklace is made from silver-plated brass, which often contains nickel in the alloy; the brand cannot guarantee it is nickel-free, and buyers with sensitive skin should consider sterling silver pieces instead.
- Tarnishing behavior
- Vivienne Westwood brass necklaces tarnish and lose plating quickly with exposure to moisture and skin oils; sterling silver holds up better.
- Neckline pairing
- At 52cm, the full-size Thames necklace is a matinee length that rests at the collarbone or just below, making it compatible with crew necks and blazer lapels.
- Pendant placement
- The crystal-embellished orb pendant sits at the front center of the 52cm chain, hanging at approximately a 26cm drop from the nape, placing it prominently on the upper sternum.
- Unisex fit
- At 52cm, the Thames necklace matches the men's version length, making it a consciously unisex, collarbone-grazing option that layers easily or works as a standalone longer piece.
Product record
- Title
- Thames Orb Necklace
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
- Price
- 325 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 10 sourcesUses
A necklace for special occasions, worn with care
Shoppers on Reddit describe this as costume jewelry suited to occasional wear rather than everyday use, with one commenter saying it would be worn for special occasions and handled very carefully. One commenter in a related thread attributed plating wear to ordinary wearing, since skin oils can break down the finish over time. Treat these as reported shopper opinions rather than guarantees.[2]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Thames Orb Necklace: Choose this for a statement piece: a chain of oversized silver-tone spheres carrying Vivienne Westwood's crystal-set orb logo, in silver-plated brass with a 20.5 inch (52 cm) one-size length and an engraved magnetic clasp, plus a signature storage box. Retailer positioning calls it eccentric, baroque-tinged Vivienne Westwood style. Note it is costume jewelry rather than fine silver, and commenters report the plating can wear off with everyday wear from skin oils, so it suits occasional, careful use.[1,2,3] | London Crystal Orb Necklace: Choose this if you want a delicate, silver-tone Vivienne Westwood pendant necklace with a small orb design set with a single faceted cubic zirconia at its center. It is made of 100% brass with a fine curb-style chain, adjustable length via an extender chain and lobster clasp, comes one size in Silver, and arrives in a small signature box. Note that the brand recommends avoiding contact with water or abrasive materials to maintain its appearance over time.[4,5,6,7] | Mayfair Large Orb Necklace: Choose this if you want a statement designer necklace featuring Vivienne Westwood's signature three-dimensional Orb emblem, here in a silver-tone plated finish encrusted with sparkling zirconia and Preciosa crystals, with pyramid-stud details the brand says nod to its punk aesthetic. The 100% brass necklace has an 80cm adjustable chain with extender and lobster clasp, comes in Silver or Gold color options in one size, and arrives in a small signature box. One Reddit commenter characterized it as costume jewelry suited to special occasions and careful handling, so daily rough wear may not be its best fit.[2,8,9,10] |
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
A long beaded metal necklace with round reflective beads linked by short bars, ending in a horizontal orb-shaped pendant set with multiple small clear stones.
- Beaded chainTwo strands of evenly spaced highly reflective spherical metal beads linked by short straight connector bars, forming a continuous necklace that descends from the top edges toward the pendant.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.02 · w 0.32 · h 0.88 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.02 · w 0.32 · h 0.88 (high) - Pendant shapeA horizontally oriented orb motif pendant with an oval ring encircling a central dome and a small cross-like detail above the dome; the pendant is attached to the chain at two small link points.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.78 · w 0.24 · h 0.14 (high) - Pendant surface detailPendant surface contains numerous small faceted clear stones or crystals set into the metal forming a sparkling textured surface across the oval ring and central dome.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.78 · w 0.24 · h 0.14 (high) - Metal finishAll visible metal components have a high-gloss reflective silver finish showing specular highlights and small reflected environment shapes.
Other
Studio product shot on a plain light background with even soft lighting and minimal shadow; necklace is centered and vertically oriented with the pendant near the lower center of the frame.
- BackgroundSmooth light neutral background with no visible texture or props.
- CompositionNecklace centered in frame, chain descending from upper left and right toward the pendant at lower center; image cropped near top of chains.
- Lighting and reflectionsSoft even lighting producing clear specular highlights on the beads and pendant and subtle soft shadows near the pendant area.
Colors
polished silver· beads and connector bars#C4C4BBclear/white sparkle· pendant stones and accents#CDCCC3- Beaded chainTwo strands of evenly spaced highly reflective spherical metal beads linked by short straight connector bars, forming a continuous necklace that descends from the top edges toward the pendant.
- 02
Product
Close-up of a silver-tone necklace showing a short run of polished spherical beads on a rigid rod-style connection, a lobster clasp with a small embossed mark, a short rolo chain extension, and an attached oval metal tag.
- Beaded segmentA curved row of highly polished spherical metal beads linked on short rigid rod connectors; beads are reflective and show highlight reflections and small seam at their equators.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.03 · w 0.67 · h 0.22 (high) - Lobster claspPolished lobster-style clasp in silver-tone metal with a small raised or engraved emblem on its outer face and a visible hinged lever.
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.45 · w 0.18 · h 0.19 (high) - Chain extensionShort rolo/link extension chain composed of round interlocking links in matching silver tone, connecting the clasp area to the oval tag.
1 region
x 0.04 · y 0.53 · w 0.58 · h 0.30 (high) - Oval tag attachmentFlat oval metal tag attached to the end of the extension chain; tag surface is reflective and contains small engraved or stamped cursive text that is partially legible.
1 region
x 0.68 · y 0.68 · w 0.22 · h 0.16 (high) - Tag text (partial)“Vivienne Westwood”Partial
1 region
x 0.68 · y 0.68 · w 0.22 · h 0.16 (medium) - Surface reflectionsMultiple mirror-like reflections visible on bead and clasp surfaces, including bright specular highlights and faint reflections of the studio environment.
Other
Studio product shot on a plain, evenly lit white background with soft shadows; image is a tight detail crop focusing on the necklace hardware and chain ends.
- Background and lightingUniform white background with soft directional lighting producing subtle soft shadows beneath the necklace components.
- Shot compositionClose-up diagonal composition with the beaded segment entering from the upper-left and the chain and tag occupying the lower-right quadrants of the frame.
- Image qualitySharp focus on metal components with fine detail visible; no people or extraneous props present.
Colors
polished silver· beads#F3F3F3polished silver· lobster clasp#CBCBC4polished silver· chain extension and oval tag#CBC9BD- Beaded segmentA curved row of highly polished spherical metal beads linked on short rigid rod connectors; beads are reflective and show highlight reflections and small seam at their equators.
Brand PDP Lookup
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
Man. Thames Mini Bas Relief Necklace
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
6 threads · r/NanaAnime, r/viviennewestwood, r/jewelry, r/AskMeufReddit users view Vivienne Westwood necklaces as overpriced brass costume jewelry with iconic design, requiring careful maintenance to avoid quick tarnishing.
While many criticize the poor material quality relative to price, a significant minority finds value in the brand's aesthetic and reports longevity with proper care.
Themes
Use Cases
- Special occasion wear
- Fashion statement for VW/punk aesthetic fans
- Everyday wear (with care, preferable in sterling silver)
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Tiffany & Co. silver necklaces
Similar brand-value proposition; you pay for the name, not material worth.
vs Etsy/Amazon dupes
Cheaper alternatives often use stainless steel or .925 silver and may last longer.
Source Threads
VW necklace criticized as overpriced costume jewelry
No, was gonna spend 300 for a necklace just for my friend who owns VW to tell me it’s not worth it, it’s basically costume jewelry. I looked at the materials and yep.. cheap shit for an overpriced tag. I say buy second hand!
u/ComprehensiveAide946r/NanaAnimeView thread →
Plating wear inevitable on brass costume jewelry
The plate coming off? That’s because it’s just that, plated brass costume jewelry not designed for every day wear. And it happens just by wearing it, the oils from your skin break it down. Unfortunately it’s inevitable and the only way to avoid it would be buying sterling silver pieces
u/AnxietyGloomy99r/viviennewestwoodView thread →
Paying for the brand: brass construction and brand legacy
But you are paying for the brand. Westwood was a legend, especially in the punk scene, so it's up to you if paying for the branding is worth it or not, but essentially buying her piece is like buying a silver necklace from Tiffany. Could you buy the same materials for a fraction of the cost? Yes. Yes you can. You're paying for the brand.
u/jaderustr/jewelryView thread →
Necklace only for special occasions, look for stainless steel instead
nope, at least in my opinion. it’s costume jewelry so you’d only be able to wear this for special occasions & you’d have to be VERY careful with it. i know we’re in the VW subreddit but the price they charge for this shitty quality is genuinely horrid
u/hacxgamesr/viviennewestwoodView thread →
Pearl necklace decent but pearls are fake
Par contre j'ai le 1 rang de perle dont tu parles : lui je le trouve plutôt bien et solide, et même si les perles ne sont pas vraies, elles ont une couleur qui est vraiment différente des contrefaçons cheap qui sont blanches éclatantes, là ça fait un peu plus "naturel" même si ça ne l'est pas.
u/vncntvangothr/AskMeufView thread →
Brass necklace lasts with careful maintenance
I've only had my necklace for around a year and a half now, but it still looks as good as the day I got it. Anytime I'm not wearing it I keep it in the original dust bag that it came with and whenever I do wear it I just make sure to keep it clean and dry it off really well if it gets wet to try and prevent any tarnishing. The lack of silver options are kinda lame but if you take care of your brass pieces really well they should last you a good amount of time.
u/XxSnow101asxXr/viviennewestwoodView thread →