Labradorite Inverted Teardrop Necklace

$205

This necklace was designed and handmade in our home studio just outside of Seattle, WA. Each necklace starts with a high quality gemstone to which a bail is added. A copper bezel is then electroformed around the stone to create a durable bond between metal and stone elements. The entire piece is then sent out to be further plated in 14k gold at a thickness ten times the industry standard. This results in an heirloom quality piece that can be enjoyed for years to come with proper care.

Labradorite is a mineral that belongs to the plagioclase feldspar group and is known for its iridescent play of colors, also called labradorescence.  This is caused by internal fractures that reflect light back and forth, dispersing it into different colors.  It was first discovered in the late 18th century on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, which is where it gets its name.

The Inuit people of the region were the first to use labradorite for its striking visual properties. They believed that the stone had mystical properties and used it in their ceremonial rituals, such as to enhance the Northern Lights.

Labradorite was not well known outside of the region until the 19th century when it was first exhibited at the London Great Exhibition in 1851. From there, it gained popularity as a gemstone for jewelry, especially in the Art Nouveau period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Copper electroforming is the process we use to apply a layer of copper to each piece of jewelry. A bail or any other components are added to the piece with a cyanoacrylate glue, the surface is then coated with a conductive paint that will enable the electric current to flow. The piece is then submerged in an electrolytic bath containing a solution of copper ions. The solution also contains a copper anode, which is the source of the copper ions that will be deposited onto the piece. The piece and the anode are connected to an electrical circuit with a power supply that delivers a low voltage DC current. This causes the copper ions to migrate to the conductive surface of the piece. Over time, the copper builds up on the surface, creating a thick layer. This can take several hours or even days, to build up a layer of copper that will be strong enough to hold its shape. Once the process is complete we patina and buff the copper or send it out to be further plated in gold or silver.

All of our silver, rose, and yellow gold pieces are plated with a thick, high quality plating that is ten times the thickness of the industry standard for plating. The plating is highly resistant to chipping, tarnishing, peeling and flaking. 

When wearing your plated rings, take them off when washing hands, showering, using lotion/chemicals or are planning to do hard work to avoid scraping the plated layer off of the ring.

Our chains are gold or silver fill to ensure their durability, selected from the highest quality chains by industry leading manufacturers. 

Chemical or abrasive cleaners are not advised for any plated jewelry. We recommend a soft polishing cloth, possibly one that includes a jeweler’s rouge for cleaning. Our favorite cloth is available at many retailers.

As we pride ourselves on creating jewelry for all bodies, all of our chains are available in any length for no extra charge! Our standard length is 18 inches but we can accommodate any request for shorter or longer chains. Please select your desired length in the drop down menu. If you don’t see the length you would like please let us know in the order note.

We offer FREE shipping in the United States with orders over $100. Items will ship 3-7 business days after your order is completed. We ship via USPS Priority Mail and will combine multiple items into one shipment. 

handcrafted gemstone jewelry

in any chain length

As we pride ourselves on creating jewelry for all bodies, all of our chains are available in any length for no extra charge! Our standard length is 18 inches but we can accommodate any request for shorter or longer chains. Please select your desired length in the drop down menu. If you don’t see the length you would like please let us know in the order note.

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