Components

Dendritic limestone (Solenhofn, Germany) on jet, cut by Eidos

Sterling setting with bronze overlay cast from cactus

Mongolian and Madagascar jet beads

Golden jade (serpentine), yellow amazonite, 1.5mm hand cut golden mother of pearl

Vermeil beads, cones; gold-filled wire

14k leverbacks

Necklace is signed, numbered, dated

Length: 19" - 24" (48 cm - 61 cm) Shown on model at shortest length
Centerpiece: 2" x 1 7/8" (5 cm x 4.8 cm)
Weight: 2.7 oz (77 gm)

Earring drop length: 1" (2.5 cm)
Earring weight: 1.9 gm ea (a nickel weighs about 5 gm)

Item #599 (set) - $1,050

Necklace and
Earrings - $1,050:

Necklace alone
$998:

Dendritic Limestone Necklace and Earrings

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Dendritic limestone looks for all the world like a fossil plant and hence it is labeled a pseudofossil. As we have discussed before, dendrites are manganese oxides which take their name from their branching growth habit (the Greek δένδρον means "tree") . They look rather like the branched projections on the neurons in your brain which also are called dendrites. The bronze overlay on the sterling setting extends the botanical theme. I put a bunny on the back to nibble in the garden.

Solnhofen limestone is famous for its Jurassic fossils including the famous Archaeopteryx and detailed imprints of soft-bodied organisms. Twenty-nine types of pterosaurs ("winged lizard") alone have been found.