The inspiration:
Insight, as a jewel. A piece that reminds you that your inner voice, however small, muffled or shy, is the only voice worth heeding. This pendant is about those flashes of insight that simultaneously ground and untether.

The materials:
Sleek, shining sterling silver and mysterious rose cut labradorite with magical purple fire. Thanks to labradorite's extraordinary flash and fire, this pendant is truly one-of-a-kind.

The history:
The ancients believed that labradorite was fragments of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) that had fallen to earth, and as such it represented the place where the earth and and the unseen realms of the universe met. It has long been believed to be symbol of intuition, guidance and protection. Named after the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, where it was found on the Isle of Paul, near Nain in 1770, labradorite is now found globally, including Norway, Finland, Russia, Mexico, Madagascar, India and Australia. It is a member of the feldspar mineral family and has been used as a decorative and jewellery material since the 1800s, becoming an important ingredient in early glass and ceramic production to increase the strength and durability of finished pieces.

The process:
I have recycled some 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 rose cut labradorite is set in a simple, solid back bezel, framed by striking beams of sterling silver wire that give a keyhole or portal effect to the design. A single jump ring connects the pendant to its chain, which is finished with a sterling silver lobster-claw clasp and 3 rose-smoke faceted tourmaline beaded clasps at 16", 18" and 20" for adjustability.

The details:

• Pendant height: 22 mm

• Pendant width at its widest point: 17 mm

• Stone cut & size: natural labradorite rose cut cabochon, approximately 15 mm wide by 12 mm high, 5 mm deep (including the setting)

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

• Recycled components: silver pendant construction

• Stone source: Pierre Rouge, Marieville, 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!