Description
This is a beautiful gem silica pendant with sterling silver base and 18k gold setting. The gem silica comes from the Inspiration Mine in Arizona which is a copper mine that once produced this material as a byproduct. This mine is no longer producing so material such as this comes from collectors or dealers that still have small caches (see link below for more information).
The gem silica is mostly medium ocean blue with a few green sprays on the left side of the stone. It is cut into a thick, long triangular cabochon which I matched with a shield-like silver base or back plate for the pendant. It may be hard to see in the photographs but there is an oxidized or dark gray finish on the silver because it is still highly reflective.
It is a larger-sized pendant that is approx. 1” wide and about 1 3/8” tall (not including the attachment bale). See photo with older U.S. dime for size/scale.
Chain and coins shown in photos not included with item. It is pictured with an oxidized or antiqued silver chain which goes well with the oxidized finish on the pendant back plate. I think it looks great with this chain but gold chains would also look nice picking up the gold from the bezel setting.
Learn more about gem silica at this link.