Sesamin

Sesamin is a compound isolated from sesame oil, and its most charming feature is its shape: two symmetric halves spreading outward from a central core, like the open wings of a butterfly. Although the molecule shares its name with sesame oil, it is actually a minor component, present in modest amounts compared to the fats that make up the bulk of the oil. Sesamin has gained a following as a health-promoting supplement in recent years, though to date the scientific evidence for any meaningful benefit in humans remains limited.

In this necklace, the butterfly geometry of the molecule is captured at the center of the piece, a quiet tribute to one of the most quietly elegant structures hiding inside an everyday kitchen ingredient.