Tarnish resistant satin finished sterling silver and ultramarine chalcedony pendant on a sterling snake chain. (2.6cm long x 1.3cm wide)
I really like the 3-dimensionality of this pendant, it reminds me of a mobius loop, and the colour of the stones make me think of the expansive ocean.. two things with no end.
I bought these 1.7mm machine cut and calibrated chalcedony at JCK over a year ago, and have had a nearly complete design block on what to use them in. They're a beautiful colour, and the facets capture and contain light in a really interesting way the picture doesn't show.. they nearly seem to glow an electric blue, but chalcedony is only a 6 or 7 on the moh's scale, and therefore too soft to use in anything that isn't going to be fairly protected.
I constructed this pendant by hand, and it's one of a kind, I didn't take a mold, as I didn't think it would turn out quite this pretty. This was also my first time constructing prongs for pavé in the actual metal, as I've only ever carved them in wax until now. It went well. I was worried about setting something as soft as chalcedony, but it went great, and I'm very happy with the finished piece.