Gem: Vanadium beryl (emerald) on quartz crystal
Metal: .925 Sterling Silver (9 grams without stone)
Dimensions: 40 x 24 x 12 mm including the bail
Made in Vermont by: Scott Maier
Origin: Nasarawa, Nigeria
Treatments: None
Comments:
This sleek, beautiful pendant was designed and made by Scott Maier at the Travelers Gems shop in northern Vermont.
It started with a STRIKING, and natural mineralogical phenomenon: A quartz crystal had formed, partially encasing a terminated blue-green emerald crystal (the termination faces up, towards the bail). The emerald was mostly exposed, and yet physically locked in place.
The potential was there, so I set out to preserve this amazing piece in a way that would be wearable. I shaped the gem from the back and sides only, slowly finding the final shape, while at the same time preserving ALL of the beautiful striations present on the crystallized faces of the quartz.
I carefully fabricated a seat for it out of sterling silver, and added tastefully minimal prongs, and an oversized bail that could accommodate all manner of eclectic or eccentric necklaces: beads, chains, pearls, etc.
Over the last few years, this definitely stands out as a favorite of mine.