Wire-Wrapped Dragon Skin Ammolite Pendant in Antiqued Sterling Silver with Herkimer Diamonds - 12

This gorgeous, pendant is composed of a colorful Canadian ammolite doublet cabochon, lovingly cradled in antiqued Sterling silver wire with sparkling... more

by Heather Jordan

Original - Sold

Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

2.100 x 1.300 x 0.800 inches

Title

Wire-Wrapped Dragon Skin Ammolite Pendant in Antiqued Sterling Silver with Herkimer Diamonds - 12

Artist

Heather Jordan

Medium

Jewelry - Ammolite Doublet, Herkimer Diamonds And Antiqued Sterling Silver

Description

This gorgeous, pendant is composed of a colorful Canadian ammolite doublet cabochon, lovingly cradled in antiqued Sterling silver wire with sparkling Herkimer diamonds cascading down from the bail and set in stacked Sterling silver bead caps. The wire was oxidized naturally with egg yolk to bring out rich, jewel-tones in the patina, and sealed with clear lacquer to protect the finish of the piece. The pendant comes suspended on an 18"-long antiqued Sterling silver chain and measures 54x34x21mm (2.1" x 1.3" x 0.8"). The ammolite features green, yellow, orange and red color shifts with a skin-like texture sealed beneath a layer of clear resin, to preserve it for many years to come.

Ammolite is an opalized form of fossilized ammonite shell, found along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in the United States & Canada. The iridescent color of ammolite comes from interference with the light that rebounds from stacked layers of thin platelets that make up aragonite, the primary mineral in the shell. The thicker these layers, the more red and green colors are visible. This particular stone has the characteristic "dragon skin" texture. This suggests it originated from a relatively shallow deposit where it was periodically subjected to sun bleaching and frost shattering which causes the ammolite surface to flake.

Ammonites are extinct marine molluscs, most closely related to modern octopi, squids and, to a lesser extent, nautiloids. The word, �ammonite�, was inspired by the spiral shape of their shells. Originally, they were called ammonis cornua ("horns of Ammon") because this Egyptian god was typically depicted wearing ram's horns. It is thought ammonites inhabited ancient shallow seas and succumbed to the same mass extinction responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs.

Herkimer diamonds are double-terminated (pointy at both ends) quartz crystal found in exposed outcrops of dolostone in and around Herkimer County, New York and the Mohawk River Valley. While such double-terminated crystals may also be found in other parts of the world, crystals originating in New York are known for their extreme clarity.

Your pendant will arrive in a lovely gift box and ship securely in a padded envelope with international tracking and insurance from my studio to your chosen destination.

*Buy it at: heatherjordanjewelry.com

Uploaded

November 1st, 2016