The inspiration:
The glowing embers that can spark a roaring fire. A necklace made to bestow boldness and bravery. I've had these stones on my bench for ages; it was serendipity that one day they were place side-by-side, and it was though they had been waiting for each other.

The materials:
A serious stone talon, sculpted in gleaming rust, gold and olive hued laguna agate, plummets from a rose cut sapphire that smoulders in deep muted ochre with subtle wisps floating across its surface. These stones are framed in recycled sterling silver, joined by darkly antiqued silver bails set with sparkling 14k gold beads.

The history:
Since ancient times, sapphires have symbolized loyalty, truth and nobility. Both royalty and clergy adorned themselves with sapphires for protection, and as a symbol of alignment and blessings from a higher power. Most commonly associated with the colour blue (and being that which all other blue stones are measured against for hue and brilliance), sapphires come in the fullest rainbow colours, and while their beauty and strength has been coveted for ornament since their discovery, sapphires are more recently prized for their technological applications: synthetic sapphire is used to make sapphire glass, an incredibly durable, scratch resistant glass used in everything from watches, to car windows, to iPhone lenses! Both natural and synthetic sapphires are second only to diamonds for hardness (a 9 on the Mohs scale) and are a member of the corundum mineral family (along with rubies.)

Agate has been an important creative material throughout human history, its use dating back to the Bronze age. Found all over the world, used by so many different cultures, agate has been used to make ornamental items such as jewelry and carvings, and for practical objects such as knives, seals and cups. Agate stones are even used as tools in jewellery making: an agate tipped burnisher is used to raise a mirror shine on silver. Laguna agates are a type of lace agate, and are found in a kinds of colours and patterns, from palest pastel hues to deeply saturated colours like this specimen. Agates have traditionally represented support and encouragement, and thought to promote an optimistic outlook and a belief in silver linings!

The process:
I have recycled all of the silver and gold used to make this pendant; melting sterling scrap down to form silver ingots, flattening and drawing the silver down to plate using hammers and my rolling mill, and then using this newly reclaimed silver to create my work. The rose cut sapphire floats above the laguna agate, each framed in a simple silver bezel with a solid backplate for simplicity and strength. Shining arcs of sterling silver wire extend from both stones, joined by substantial silver bails that feature a dramatic patina that contrasts a bright 14k gold bead. The uppermost, petal-shaped bail connects the pendant to its chain, which is finished with a sterling silver lobster-claw clasp and ochre coloured tourmaline beaded accents. The glittering, substantial chain measures 66 cm (26") for over-the-head ease, and its link is open enough to allow the clasp to link into it wherever you might fancy, allowing for maximum adjustability.

The details:

• Pendant height: 85 mm

• Pendant width: 20 mm

• Stone cut & size: rosecut, organic oval shaped natural ochre sapphire, approximately 14 x 18 mm; natural laguna agate talon, approximately 53 x 12 mm

• Chain length: 26” (66 cm) total

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

• Stone source: (sapphire) Rosy on the Rocks, North Carolina, USA; (laguna agate) SayaSuka Stone & Bone, California, USA

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!