Petrified Opalwood Necklace in Sterling Silver
This one feels like a tiny landscape captured in stone. Petrified opalwood from West Java, Indonesia is already an unusual material, but this particular material has some of the most beautiful coloration I've come across. Bands of turquoise and aqua move through warm earthy rust and brown, broken by streaks of creamy white, while the deep nearly black section at the top gives the whole composition a dramatic contrast. It has the look of distant water, land and sky, though every bit of that imagery was created naturally as the original wood was transformed and mineralized over time.
What makes this material especially worth collecting is that I haven't been able to find any more with this particular combination of color and pattern. I still have a small amount from the original parcel, so this isn't the only piece you'll see from me, but once I've worked through what remains, that will likely be it. With lapidary material like this, certain pockets of color and pattern can simply disappear from the market, and I've searched without finding anything comparable to replace it.
The stone is set simply in sterling and fine silver so the natural pattern remains the focus. The back of the pendant has a bold textured pattern of sweeping curves and arcs, finished with patina to bring the design into relief. It hangs from a patterned cable-link sterling silver chain with a nice weight to it, substantial enough to complement the pendant without feeling heavy.
Petrified wood is traditionally associated with grounding, stability, patience, and a connection to the natural world. Opal is often associated with creativity, inspiration, and individuality.
✧ Stone: Petrified opalwood from West Java, Indonesia, approximately 25 × 15 mm
✧ Pendant Size: Approximately 32 mm long including bail
✧ Metal: Sterling silver and fine silver
✧ Chain: Patterned sterling silver cable-link chain, patinaed and polished
✧ Length: 18 inches with a 2-inch extension chain, adjustable up to 20 inches
✧ Closure: Sterling silver lobster claw clasp
One-of-a-kind and made with care in my studio.
