The inspiration:
An emblem of autumn. Set with the most perfect orange carnelian you’ve ever seen, this harvest-inspired amulet conjures the colour and spirit of the coziest season.

The materials:
A brilliant orange jelly bean of a carnelian is framed by elegant surface details that evoke the abundance of the harvest season, gleaming against the darkened, teardrop shaped background.. This luminous recycled silver construction is paired with a delicate 20" sterling silver chain with adjustability at 16” and 18”.

The history:
Carnelian in a member of the chalcedony family, long symbolic of fellowship and good will, patience and generosity. It is a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz that has been in use since the Bronze age, shaped into tools that could hold a sharp edge, or carved into decorations with a high degree of detail. Chalcedony (including carnelian) was frequently carved into intaglios for use in jewellery such as rings that were used to stamp wax seals, as wax doesn't stick to the surface. It ranges in colour from palest creamy yellow to deepest, opaque red-brown, sometimes displaying banding and cloudy inclusions.

The process:
I have recycled almost all of the silver used to make this pendant; melting sterling scrap down to form silver ingots, flattening and drawing the silver down to plate (and sometimes wire) using hammers and my rolling mill, and then using this newly reclaimed silver to create my work. This detailed setting highlights the brilliant, translucent orange carnelian against a darkened background set with gleaming wire surface decoration. The stone is neatly set in clean-edge bezel with a solid, polished backplates behind it to enhance the stone’s beautiful glow. An halo of silver and 2 sterling jump rings connect the pendant to its delicate chain, which is finished with a sterling silver lobster-claw clasp and faceted carnelian beaded clasps at 16” (41 cm), 18” (46 cm) and 20” (51 cm).

The details:

• Pendant height: 26 mm

• Pendant width: 19 mm

• Stone cut & size: carnelian cabochon, 10 × 12 mm

• Chain length: 20” (51 cm) total, with adjustability at 18” (46 cm) and 16” (41 cm)

• Recycled components: silver pendant construction

• Stone source: carnelian - NikMak, Montreal, Québec

My promise:
All of my jewelry is made by me, by hand, in my little home studio and will be shipped to you as shown, beautifully packaged and ready for gift-giving to someone special (like yourself!) I am a life-long artist and designer, and I take great care and pride in creating one of a kind jewels that evolve from my own design, emotion and inspiration, rather than trend, imitation or artifice. It means the world to me that you've witnessed my work - thank you for being here, and for shopping and supporting handmade!