Striking Fossilized Stone in Peach and Black on Necklace of Moss Agate, Coral
- This is where the ancient lends itself to the contemporary.
- The black square stone is basically composed of tiny fossils, like peach coloured bubbles floating on the surface of a mat black stone. But the stone has been carved in such a way that it looks slightly like the ripples of a blanket. It also reminds me of a Sting Ray swimming in the sea. The stone is not flat (although it lies flatly on the neck). It is a 2- inch square (5 cm) and at its thickest, it is 7.4 mm and at its thinnest it is 3.3 mm. But this stone containing ancient elements, has a quite modern feel to it.
- The bottom, supporting silver bead (7.6 mm) and the top silver bead (9.3 mm), as well as the hammered silver beads (17.5 mm), are made by the Karen hill tribes from Thailand. Two melon beads are from South Korea (15 mm).
- Karen hill tribe Fair Trade silver is nearly 98% pure silver. I mostly choose to use their silver because each piece is like a miniature bit of sculpture, individually crafted and created. I know that artisans in Northern Thailand produce this unique silversmithing in small villages, involving whole families in the process. Their work is fairly paid, and as a result, their beads are much more expensive. But a family is supported and wonderful beads and jewellery are produced in high quality silver.
- Peach coloured coral beads (21 mm) and tiny cylinders of peach coral (7 mm) echo the peach bubbles in the fossilized stone.
- The four polished pebbles (22 mm x 29 mm) are landscape moss agate, known as Lodolite. The inclusions of moss within the agate stones compliments the fossilzed stone.
- Lodolite is a type of Quartz crystal with unique inclusions of many possible colours and types. No stone is ever the same. Often it has the look of gardens, landscapes, or underwater scenes. This is why it is known to offer a view into another world, and is often called the “shaman’s stone”. Lodolite is the trade name for a quartz with mineral inclusions of the Chlorite group. According to the type of Chlorite, the attractive inclusions appear in various colours like green, brown, orange, white, pink, or purple.
- Two mat black onyx cubes (12.5 mm) complete the design.
- I have then knotted the grey silk/polyester cord with the traditional Chinese “flat knot” as well as the “button knot”. This is not only a classical Chinese technique, but it lightens the necklace and makes it quite comfortable to wear. It also sets off the design.
- A silver toggle clasp has been used because toggle clasps are easy to use and secure. My silver name label is attached at the clasp. The clasp has been made by the Karen hill tribes, of twisted silver to create a rope design.
- The necklace comes, like all my necklaces, with its own colour co-ordinated silk brocaded pouch bag, made by a Shanghai tailor.
- The necklace is 19 inches long (48 cm) with a 3 ¼ inch pendant drop (8 cm).