The inspiration:
The peace of summer’s lush landscape or a soothing shoreline, painted across and one-of-a-kind, North American mined and polished stone and honoured with the warmth of 14k gold.

The materials:
A exceptionally cut and polished Gary green jasper, luminous with golden greens, soft greys and green-blues, is framed by recycled sterling silver and 14k gold. Thanks to this incredible stone, this pendant is truly one-of-a-kind.

The history:
Gary green jasper is a member of the quartz family of stones, and is specifically an opaque quartz made up of combination of microcrystalline quartz and/or chalcedony that is coloured and patterned by various mineral and formation phases. It comes in almost every colour and pattern imaginable and has been one of the most historically relevant and revered stones throughout the ages thanks to its durability, global availability and value as a useful and decorative material. Its strength and ability to hold a finely carved edge meant that it was often fashioned into tools such as blades and bow drills, as well as being carved into fine decorations such as wax seals, vessels, beads and sculptural items that benefitted from a high polish. Gary green jasper is mined exclusively in Utah and Nevada, and its stripes and colours have lead to some consideration that its sedimentary patterning represents the gradual fossilization of wetlands, mosses and algae over more than 10 million years.

The process:
I have recycled 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. The rounded triangular Gary green jasper is set in a simple bezel with a solid, polished backplate. Rising to a peak above, rolling hills and a rising sun are illustrated in 14k gold, gleaming against a deep patina. A trio of tiny gold beads crown the bottom point of the stone. An arc of silver and double jump rings connect the pendant to its chain, which is finished with a sterling silver lobster-claw clasp and 3 gold-filled beaded clasps at 18" (46 cm), 20" (51 cm) and 22" (56 cm) for adjustability.

The details:

• Pendant height: 31 mm

• Pendant width at its widest point: 25 mm

• Stone cut & size: natural Gary green jasper cabochon, approximately 18 mm h x 18 mm w, 5 mm deep (including the setting)

• Chain length: 22” (56 cm) total, with adjustability at 18” (46 cm) and 20” (51 cm)

• Recycled components: silver pendant construction, 14k gold details

• Stone source: Gary green jasper - SayaSuka Stone and Bone, California

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!