Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky.
- Rabindranath Tagore

Part of my summer collection (named Estival, for the glory of summer moments), this pendant continues my work in this weird year (2021) that mirrors the moods of solitude, separation and the intimate, inner study of detail and direction. I have a little taped-up, scrawled note on my bench that says "make jewellery about actual feelings", so that sentiment has been my north star in the studio this year. With this collection, my intent has been to express the flow, comfort and fleeting joy of summer moments, especially after a year of quiet isolation.

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This pendant highlights the luminous quality of chalcedony, in its blue and red forms. Soothing aqua chalcedony is generally colour enhanced from its natural grey-blue state; carnelian is its warm-hued twin, formed from the same silica mineral makeup, but made fiery with the presence of iron oxides. All colours of chalcedony are said to be 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, along with aquamarine, is now celebrated as birthstones for March babies.
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This pendant is made entirely from recycled sterling silver, set with a dreamy aqua chalcedony dotted with pale clouds that floats above a softly striped, golden peach-hued carnelian the colour of sunset. This colour combination evokes the states of a summer sky, from the vibrant blue of mid-day to the golden glow of evening. Thanks to these unique stones, this piece is truly one-of-a-kind.
It measures approximately 1.4” (35 mm) long and approximately .9” (23 mm) at its widest point, and its ornate construction has been polished to a bright shine and finished with a deep patina to contrast the glow of the stones.
The aqua chalcedony measures approximately 8 mm x 10 mm, with a glossy polish and luminous soft hue. A pattern of subtle, floating inclusions hints at a sky full of clouds within its depths. The luminous striped carnelian measures approximately 15 mm by 12 mm. Its colour ranges from sandy gold deepening to a deeper peachy hue at its bottom edge. It's glowing, milky interior is marked by a subtle diagonal stripe pattern that reminds me of both hazy sunsets and shimmering sand dunes. Both stones have been bezel-set with open backs to enhance their colour and glow. The settings are ornamented by arcing, bead-tipped tendrils and a trio of flattened beads at the bottom edge while a simple arc of sterling silver crowns this simple pendant, which connects to its sterling silver chain with a bud-ended coiled tendril of silver.

Estival Sky hangs from a 20” (51 cm) long, dainty sterling silver rolo link chain, with golden-hued sapphire beaded clasps at approximately 16” (41 cm), 18” (46 cm) and 20” (51 cm) for a custom fit. It is finished with a sterling silver spring-ring clasp. A longer or shorter chain option is available, simply convo me for more details.
I have recycled much of the silver 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.

All of my jewelry is made by me in my cozy home studio and will be shipped to you as shown, beautifully packaged and ready for giving as a gift for someone special (like yourself!)

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