RESEARCH: The necklace worn by Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) at the end of Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope was made by Lapponia of Helsinki, a leading jewelry manufacturer in Finland. The necklace design is titled "Planetaariset Laaksot" ("Planetary Valleys"). According to Obi-Ann "There also exists a documentary about the making process of these jewelry revealing that George Lucas made the order personally back then." The Parts of Star Wars reports, "When Lucasfilm purchased the necklace the designer wasn't told what the film was about and was surprised to see his necklace worn by Carrie Fisher in a movie, which "later became a cult".

Design: Planetaariset Laaksot (Planetary Valleys)
Year Introduced: 1969
Produced from 1969-1981
Material: Sterling Silver (matte finish)
Size: Approx. 16 inches long, 1 inch wide
Artist: Björn Weckström

Photos and information about the necklace can also be seen at scandesign.org.

The matching necklace and bracelet were recently featured at the 2005 Northern Lights Exhibition:

MAGC is pleased to have been featured in the following stories:
May 20, 2005

Watch the A-List on Friday, May 20, 2005 6:30 p.m., on Toronto1, when cohost Dina Pugliese will be wearing the sterling silver necklace "Planetoid Valleys" and "Darina's Bracelet". Both pieces were designed by Bjorn Weckstrom of Lapponia, and were selected by George Lukas to be worn by Carrie Fisher in 1977's "Star Wars". Both designs will be on view at the Northern Lights exhibition.

The necklace was featured in the 2003 Lapponia Catalog, which suggests it may still be for sale through some jewelry stores. Star Wars collector Steve Sansweet said he was able to purchase his Planetary Valleys necklace a few years ago for roughly 1,000 Euros. The necklace has recently been sold at auctions (2005) for roughly $1,484 USD and is usually valued at 1,000 - 1,5000 Euros.

Lapponia currently makes a necklace similar to Planetary Valleys titled "Galactic Peaks" or "Galaktische Gipfel." The surface shape is actually different than Planetary Valley, but the idea is similar.

CONSTRUCTION TIPS: If you don't want to spend $1,000 on the real necklace, a reasonable replica can be constructed for costume purposes out of Sculpey clay. The clay pieces can be sculpted using standard clay tools available at most hobby stores.

The necklace is made of 14 sculpted square pieces with a valley in the middle (hence the name Planetary Valleys!). The pieces are very close to 1" in size, and held together with oval shaped jump rings at the edges.

Obi-Wan's Jedi academy suggests this technique for shaping the clay pieces. Using a 1"x1" acrylic container works well for cutting out a consistent square shape. However, upon close inspection of the real necklace in person I learned that the 1" squares are not a thick piece with a hole going across the top from one end to the other like a bead. Instead, the metal (or clay in this case) wraps under the square shape at the upper edge. There are 2 tabs at either end in the back with small holes which an oval shaped jump ring connects to. Here are my diagrams:

SIDE VIEW OF METAL NECKLACE PIECE

BACK VIEW OF METAL NECKLACE PIECES - JUMP RING CONNECTS THROUGH HOLES

Perhaps a rectangular shape can be cut after sculpting the clay, then wrapped around a brass or aluminum metal rod on the top edge before baking in the oven. After the clay is baked a small hand drill (like those used for jewelry making or model making) can be used to make a small hole in either tab in the back.

I gave my pieces a silver finish by covering them with silver leafing foil. Unfortunately, the silver leafing is fragile and after wearing it and transporting it to several conventions it has started to flake away even though I sealed it with clear sculpey glaze.

Sister_Sola obtained a silver finish on her sculpey pieces by using a silver leafing pen. After one coating with the pen she sealed the clay piece with acrylic sealer. She then applied a second coat with the silver leafing pen. This is probably a better technique that will stand up to multiple wearings while giving a reasonably realistic metallic looking finish.

I do not suggest using silver spray paint on sculpey. This clay has a bad reaction with spray paints, and even though it might seem fine for a week, after a 1-3 weeks it will start to react with the clay and get sticky and dull looking. Sealing the clay with sculpey glaze before hand did not help. Sculpey will do OK with brush on acrylic paints, but you will usually see brush marks. I've heard that super sculpey reacts OK with metallic spray paint, but have not tested it myself to be sure of this information.

Other ideas to explore for making the necklace:

1- Make one clay piece, then create a cast for resin molds in order to make identical pieces. Resin reacts better with spray paint.

2 - Use Precious Metal Clay in sliver. Perhaps make a piece out of sculpey first, then make a mold of it so you can have an identical stamp to use on each PMC piece. A kiln is usually needed to fire the clay, but some beading stores have kilns that students can use if you sign up for a class. There are also firing torches available, but I am not clear what the maximum size is a piece can be when fired this way. I've also read of a method of firing that uses a gas stove top.

3 - Make 1 clay shape, and find a jeweler who does custom work. They may be able to make a mold in order to cast real silver jewelry pieces for you.

4- Dave has put together a Leia ceremonial necklace tutorial making the necklace from aluminum metal sheets.

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