Few pieces of jewellery have captured the imagination of cinema audiences quite like the necklace worn by Eva Green in Casino Royale. The mysterious pendant that adorned Vesper Lynd's neck throughout the 2006 film became an instant icon, representing love, betrayal, and the emotional heart of the Bond franchise's celebrated reboot. Behind this remarkable piece lies a fascinating story of creative collaboration, artistic innovation, and the challenge of bringing something entirely new into existence.
This article explores the remarkable journey of how this legendary necklace came to be, from an unexpected email just before Christmas to the finished piece that would grace one of cinema's most memorable Bond girls. We'll look at the initial brief that presented a unique challenge, the creative process that brought the concept to life, and why this particular piece became so deeply woven into the film's emotional narrative.
The Email That Started It All
In December 2005, London-based jewellery designer Sophie Harley received an unexpected email that would change her career forever. The message came from Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer whose credits included five James Bond films, Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, and the Academy Award-winning film Topsy-Turvy. Hemming asked a simple question: would Sophie like to design some jewellery for the upcoming Bond film Casino Royale?
The connection between these two remarkable creatives wasn't entirely random. Hemming already knew Sophie's distinctive work from a previous collaboration. Several years earlier, Sophie had designed an unusual set of wedding jewellery for Hemming's daughter, featuring exotic engraved dragons with diamond eyes. Those theatrical, meaningful pieces demonstrated exactly the qualities Hemming was seeking for the mysterious necklace that would play a crucial role in the new Bond film.
Sophie jumped at the opportunity, though she had no idea at the time just how significant this particular piece of jewellery would become within the film's intricate plot. Nor could she have predicted the worldwide attention it would generate in the years to come. What she did know was that her signature style, combining ancient craftsmanship techniques with contemporary design sensibilities, was exactly what the film required.
Designing Something That Didn't Exist
On January 6th, 2006, Sophie locked herself in her London studio and began working on what would become one of cinema's most recognisable pieces of jewellery. The brief she'd been given was intriguingly minimal: design a necklace based on four interconnecting rings to be called an "Algerian Love Knot." There was just one problem. The Algerian Love Knot, as a jewellery concept, didn't actually exist.
This presented both a challenge and an extraordinary creative opportunity. Rather than recreating something historical or traditional, Sophie was being asked to invent something entirely new while making it feel ancient and meaningful. The creation of the Algerian Love Knot for Casino Royale required her to imagine what such a piece might look like if it had existed for centuries, passed down through generations as a symbol of unending love.
Sophie's approach was to blend multiple influences and techniques. She wanted to create something mysterious, symbolic, and beautiful, something that appeared ancient yet felt distinctly modern. Drawing on her Royal College of Art training and decades of experience, she began sketching designs that would ultimately capture the perfect balance between historical gravitas and contemporary elegance.
The Craftsmanship Behind the Iconic Piece
The finished necklace demonstrates remarkable attention to detail at every level. The central pendant features four interconnecting rings, each decorated with exquisitely carved symbolic details. These intricate patterns are highlighted in gold against a softly oxidised grey silver surface, creating a striking contrast that catches light beautifully on camera while suggesting age and mystery.
The design process behind the Bond film's most iconic piece extended beyond the pendant itself. Four delicate chains suspend the love knot, creating an elegant layered effect when worn. The clasp features Sophie's signature winged heart motif, a T-bar design that serves as both a functional fastening and an additional symbolic element. This recurring motif in her work represents love, hope, and liberation, themes that resonate powerfully with Vesper Lynd's character arc.
The techniques employed to create the necklace include traditional granulation, fine wire work, and detailed hand engraving. Each element was crafted using methods that have been employed by goldsmiths for centuries, yet the overall effect feels fresh and contemporary. This tension between old and new perfectly suited a character described in the film as enigmatic and layered, a woman whose true nature only reveals itself gradually.
A Necklace That Became Part of the Story
What makes the making of this legendary necklace particularly special is how integral it became to Casino Royale's emotional narrative. Unlike typical film jewellery that simply decorates an actress, this piece plays an active role in the storyline. Vesper Lynd wears it throughout the film, and Bond himself identifies it as an Algerian Love Knot in a pivotal scene, recognising it as a gift from someone special.
The necklace continues its journey into the sequel, Quantum of Solace. Bond carries it with him as a keepsake following the tragic events of Casino Royale. In the film's powerful final moment, he throws it into the snow before walking away, symbolising his emotional closure. This was actually the very last shot of the film, giving the necklace an extraordinary narrative significance that few pieces of cinema jewellery have ever achieved.
The real-world impact matched the on-screen importance. When one of the original necklaces worn by Eva Green was auctioned at Christie's "50 Years of James Bond" sale in 2012, it was estimated to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000. It ultimately fetched £54,000, demonstrating the remarkable connection audiences had formed with this piece. Few items of jewellery designed for film have ever generated such passionate collector interest.
In Conclusion
The story of how the Algerian Love Knot came into existence is a testament to what happens when exceptional creative talents collaborate on a shared vision. From Lindy Hemming's inspired choice of designer to Sophie Harley's ability to create something entirely new that felt timeless and meaningful, every element aligned to produce a piece of jewellery that transcended its role as a film prop to become a genuine cultural icon.
At Sophie Harley London, we're proud that our founder's work has touched so many people around the world. The original Algerian Love Knot necklace and earrings, along with pieces inspired by this iconic design, remain available through our online store. Each piece is handmade in London using traditional techniques and precious materials, continuing the same commitment to craftsmanship that brought Vesper Lynd's legendary necklace to life. We invite you to explore our Algerian Love Knot collection and discover the magic for yourself.
