When you’re the girl with the pearl earring or the woman with a glass slipper, it’s understandable that you’d prefer a window pane between your goods and the common people’s dirty paws.

However, if you’re no art snob but do appreciate its finer aspects in jewelry design, skip the museum lines and check out the latest exhibit now showing on the necks of downtown ladies: the work of sculptor Michelle DaRin.

It’s not every day that you come across jewelry that takes on a life of its own. But these unique, handcrafted necklaces are more like mini masterpieces than ordinary accessories. Enamel birds, leaves, and dragonflies are embellished with exquisite layers of semiprecious gems like smoky quartz and turquoise.

One might expect to see such finery behind a jewelry case with a “Do not touch!” sign, but, in fact, DaRin’s pieces are durable and resilient, with intricate wirework and heavy-duty clasps. Each head-turning piece requires close observation. So take a minute.

And find art in the everyday.

Available at Wedding Library, 43 East 78 Street, between Madison and Park Avenues (212-327-0100); The Market NYC, 268 Mulberry Street, between Houston and Prince Streets (themarketnyc.com). To see styles, go to michelledarinjewelry.com.