Components

*Chrysocolla cabs cut by Gary Wilson
*Turquoise beads
*Black onyx cabs and hand-faceted beads
*Sterling settings, beads and findings
*14kt gold earring posts
*Necklace is signed, numbered, dated

Length:  18.5" - 23" (47 cm - 58.5 cm) Shown on model at shortest length
Drop length: 3.75" (9.5 cm)
Centerpiece: 2.75" x 1.25" (7 cm x 3 cm)
Weight: 3.5 oz (99 gm)

Earring lengths:  1 3/8" (3.5 cm) and 15/16" (2.4 cm)
Earring weights: 5.9 gm and 4.8 gm (a nickel weighs about 5 gm)

Item #632 - $650

Necklace and
Earrings - $650:
    Necklace alone
$498:

Chrysocolla Necklace and Earrings

Chrysocolla Necklace
Chrysocolla Necklace Detail
Chrysocolla Necklace on model
Chrysocolla Earrings
Chrysocolla Necklace
Hover to zoom, Click to expand

Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper silicate found in many parts of the world including Czech Republic, the Congo, Zaire, Israel, Chile, Cornwall England. In this country it occurs in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Bill Atkinson must love chrysocolla, 4 of his spectacular photographs of it appear in Within the Stone. One of the joys of Atkinson's book is the detailed analysis of the constituents in each of his gorgeous specimens, so you can discover that the black in our stone might well be tenorite. He differentiates the mineral chrysocolla which has a hardness of only 1.5 to 3.5 (on the Mohs scale) and is therefore too fragile for lapidary work from the gem rock called chrysocolla which is harder, mixed as it is with chalcedony. The latter can take a high polish if treated with an epoxy resin. This is an interesting point given my experience with the stone in the Rio Negro Necklace. The stone in this necklace appears to have the chrysocolla suspended in translucent chalcedony, protecting it forever.

The earrings are pretty chrysocolla specimens covered with tiny drusy crystals. Although some people don't like my complementary earrings, recall Glenda Arentzen's remarks to Carl Little (Ornament article, Vol 32 #1) in which she mentions an African view that, "Two identical earrings would not speak to each other, but ... if they complemented each other, a conversation would be started."

Simmons says that chrysocolla is a stone of empowerment of the feminine energies and that it emanates gentleness and power. You will find a lot of opportunities to wear these pieces and feel their gentle empowering energy. Please order them today.