So far so good, right? I even went out and bought long drop earrings that kind of matched the square setting of the diamonds (not real) in this necklace. I don't have a picture of those, but they look something like this, only square-cut:

Even further, even more good, right? Or so I thought. Until I started looking at wedding blogs and photography blogs, and came across THIS:

Otherwise known as the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen, it's a piece designed by the fabulous Erin Cole, and worn at her own wedding, which must tell you something about how much she liked it.
Now there is no way I could ever get hold of the actual Erin Cole necklace. First of all, I couldn't afford it. Second, I live in the wrong damn country. And third, there's no way I would ever buy something without trying it on first (though I have yet to try my sister's necklace with my dress, at least I know it looks good on my neck!). So my choices are:
(a)Wear my sister's dang necklace because it's really pretty anyway;
(b)Find a similar Erin Cole-knockoff;
(c)Go to a bead shop (and crystal shop) and attempt to recreate the thing with my own two not-so-crafty hands (this is desperation talking, people). But that would involve finding beads/ crystal pendants of a similar kind, and, well, we're pretty limited here at the arse-end of Africa.
So, basically, I'm screwed. Another option I had was to wear my sister's necklace at my wedding, and use the alleged, doesn't exist yet, Erin Cole knockoff for my engagement shoot. Because I still need a necklace for that too. But I can't find ANYthing I like!
Here are some pictures I found online that I like:
(only not green)


