Every once and a while, the powers that be at Twitter will create a small image or emoji to appear after a popular #hashtag.

Known as hashflags, these images are usually tied to significant occasions or events such as the Academy Awards, the Superbowl or, in this case, a very popular piece of jewellery.

It's only been a few weeks since Normal People, the television adaptation of Sally Rooney's best-selling book, hit our screens but it's already become one of the biggest talking points of the year.

Much has been made about the heated encounters between Connell and Marianne – played by Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones - with some viewers condemning the scenes for being too explicit and others praising the representation of intimacy and consent.

The scenes have proved so divisive, in fact,  that Liveline 's Joe Duffy has been left to discuss the ins and outs of Ireland's relationship with sex because of it.

Truly though, the breakout star of the show has been an unexpected one.

Strong and silent, this character has almost outshone the incredible acting abilities of Mescal and Edgar-Jones, captivating viewers with its pure and unadulterated sex appeal.

Yes, we're talking about Connell's chain.

Lorna Mugan, the costume designer on Normal People spoke with Ray D'Arcy about this significant piece of jewellery last week on RTÉ Radio 1.

"The chain is in the novel", she says. "It's one small line. Marianne notices it on Connell and remembers it as something she saw at school. We knew it was there, we didn't think too much about it but Paul picked up on it straight away. After the first fitting, he said, 'can I get that chain?'

"So we quickly went out, got a selection of chains, he picked that and then he put it on and that was it. He had it on for rehearsals, for the shoot. We never saw it again, it was just on him. It was very important to Paul and looking back now, it does jump out a bit!" 

"I suppose Connell doesn't have a lot," she continued. "He's a very simple guy, so this chain was going to make a statement and, boy, did it." 

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The chain became so popular with fans that, within days of the first episode airing, an Instagram account had been set up in its name - a profile that has earned over 92k followers.

Now, going one step further, the necklace has a hashflag on Twitter that will be active until 08/11/2020.

Needless to say, fans are thrilled. 

Happy tweeting!