This labradorite has had a different path towards becoming a piece of jewelry than others I’ve made. Here’s a little look into how I create and the steps that precede the whole process of making a gemstone into a piece of wearable art.
When I’m beginning to design around a gemstone there’s a fair amount of gazing going on as the courtship begins and I start to visualize how I see the piece ending up. I look at the gemstone , move it around in the light, look at the height of the sides where the bezel will go, check for cracks or fractures that the lapidary might have disregarded, and generally assess that the stone will withstand the stress of being wrapped in metal and pushed and pulled while getting there. I don’t baby anything because I want to be sure that the jewelry can withstand hard use and remain sturdy!
A look at the back of the cabochon revealed an unexpectedly beautiful scene (much like the woods along little Evitts Creek) – perhaps unnoticed by the lapidary artist until later in the shaping process but it really spoke to me!
I decided to set the stone backwards and to accommodate the rounded front I cut out the backing seat to allow the curved front to not rock and move in the setting and potentially damage the stone. Long story short is that this one was a real challenge, but the results are so worth it! If you hold the pendant up in the light, you’ll be able to see how the translucency allows light to pass through the stone and appreciate the formations within it that create the mirroring of nature.
I create the rustic textures for my work using a lot of different techniques like using a rolling mill and found materials such as rigid plant matter, or beach sand, or patterns I create in brass to transfer to silver. In this case though, I deliberately gouged and cut into the head of an old hammer to texture the surface. It adds to the naturally rustic look and I love having this new tool in my team of useful tools!
Final thoughts and wishes: This pendant feels all about the river with her lessons of respect, patience, working with instead of against the currents, taking time to eddy out and look around, and feeling gratitude for the amazingly beautiful world we are so fortunate to be a part of.
I hope if you become the wearer of this pendant, you go to a river and see what I’m talking about however you want; walking, hiking, biking, kayaking or fishing.
Measurements:
Pendant and Bale : 2 1/4” long , Width just under 1”
Optional Chain: 20", antiqued as shown.
