The inspiration:
Blue skies - a sea of scilla flowers - cooling off - morning dew - water music

The materials:
A serene, periwinkle blue tanzanite, shining from the centre of a delicate, six-petalled bloom made from gleaming recycled silver.

The history:
Tanzanite, a type of zoisite, is a fairly recent gemological find, having been discovered just over 50 years ago, but it has become universally adored in that short time thanks to its breathtaking colour. Tanzanite is widely considered rarer than diamonds as it is found only in a small geographical area of the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Because of its relatively recent discovery, not much is known about tanzanite's historical use, but its ethereal, soothing colour has been thought to enhance meditation, bringing wisdom from introspection. It is now considered as a birthstone for December babies (along with zircon, turquoise, and blue topaz) and is also chosen to celebrate a 24th anniversary.

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 simple, magical design sets the radiant tanzanite at the centre of a delicately domed, six-petaled flower. The stone is neatly set in clean-edge bezel with a solid, polished backplate behind it to enhance its beautiful color, and the silver throughout has been highly polished. A tiny sterling ring connects the pendant to its delicate chain, which is finished with a light-weight sterling silver spring-ring clasp and faceted sapphire beaded links at 16” (41 cm), 18” (46 cm) and 20” (51 cm) for an customizable fit.

The details:

• Pendant height: 18 mm

• Pendant width: 18 mm

• Stone cut & size: tanzanite cabochon, 5 × 7 mm

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

• Recycled components: silver pendant construction

• Stone source: Tanzanite - PierreRouge in Marieville, Québec, Canada

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!