The inspiration:
Awakening - raindrops - seeds - sprouts - petrichor

The materials:
Sparkling like raindrops on spring leaves, luminous soft green prehnites push up gleaming recycled sterling sprouts.

The history:
Prehnite was the first mineral to be named for a person, Dutch Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn, who was the governor of the Cape of Good Hope during the 1700s. Prehnite was also the first mineral to be described from South Africa and was considered quite rare until more recently as more deposits have been discovered in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Prehnite is formed deep within the veins and cavities of mafic volcanic rock, and interestingly, can release water when heated. Because of these characteristics, it became favoured as a talisman against claustrophobic feelings, and was believed to help support both acceptance and letting go. These prehnites were sourced from fellow Etsy seller PierreRouge, located in Marieville, Québec.

The process:
I used recycled sterling silver wire to sculpt the sprouts in these earrings, a favourite process of mine. This open-work design centres the fresh green prehnites as s seed of light, sprouting sterling silver tendrils. A petal shaped arch of sterling wire frames the stone and sprouts, and prehnites are neatly set in clean-edge bezels against solid, polished backplates to amplify the light within. A tiny sterling jump ring connects the earring to its handmade, sterling silver, standard (20g) ear wire, and a light patina on the silver highlights its organic polish.

The details:

• Earring length (total): 45 mm

• Earring width (widest point): 14 mm

• Stone cut & size: prehnite cabochon, 10 mm diameter

• Recycled components: silver earring construction

• Stone source: Prehnite - 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!