Abalone/Wyoming Edwards Black Pendant w/set black cord #1
250,00$
This is a unique combo of local "Pacific Red Abalone" and the famous Edwards Black nephrite jade from Wyoming. This black is arguably the best black jade in the world. Carved as a long triangle with flat back and curved front. The hole through is straight from front to back. These pendants are very unique and rarely available on the market as it is very technical to do these correctly. Item comes with NZ braided cord with black jade toggle not shown in pictures.
The Local Abalone:
Normally, abalone shell is the result of sport caught abalone from years ago and in California sport harvested abalone cannot be sold. I'm fortunate enough to dive for jade in the ocean around Big Sur California where I find discarded shells left over from local sea otters that target their tasty meat. The kill them and typically break a hole in the back of the shell to remove the meat inside and discard the shell. I find these shells on the bottom of the ocean either intact with a the hole in the back or in partial pieces.
The Glue used:
Not giving away my type of glue used, but the problem with gluing/setting abalone shell in jade is the difference in expansion when the combined item is temperature difference challenged. The rate at which abalone (shell) and jade expands when the temperatures change quickly is significant enough to make the glue line between the two materials will break. Example is where the item and jumping into a hot tub and forgetting to take it off. The glue that has been researched for these types of items has the properties to handle this "shock" expansion and to have longevity to last a lifetime. One of my tests was to put an item in the freezer for 2 days and then drop into boiling water. Pretty extreme but not negative results. : )
Specifications
Pendant Specifications:
Length: 1.9 inch
Width: 0.58 inch
Weight: 13 grams
Material History
WYOMING NEPHRITE JADE:
"Wyoming apple green nephrite jade is known across the world as some of the finest nephrite jade ever created by mother nature". I have worked jade from all over the world and have to attest to this beginning statement made by Bob Scholl that most Wyoming jade is simply underrated as most of it has the finest and most consistent grain I have worked. It's not just the Wyoming "Apple" or "Edwards black" that is of this high quality but even the lesser known quality materials are superior. Wyoming jade does come in all qualities and some is low quality but even what jade experts call a "dirty" jade that has visibly seen impurities/inclusions can still be superb quality compared to other high quality jade from around the world with little or no inclusions. Wyoming jade is simply a unique micro-fiber jade that is a jade carvers dream.
About
Proud to say one of my specialties at Jadedivers.com is making one of kind custom beads found almost no where in the world. Most of my beads are going to have cone tapered ends that are deburred and polished. My photos are taken to show the natural colors without photo enhancements. I believe this will best represent the colors and promote repeat customers.
Branching into Pi/Bi Discs and Bangles, I provide the quality of the best offered. None of my designs are mass produced and material selection is always individually chosen even in the smalles beads. My Discs are unique in that they are mostly done by hand and not be "donut" cutting machines.
** Note: Many items stated to be "Jade" on Etsy and Ebay are not. In many cases, price does not indicate this either so buying an expensive item may be a jade replica like glass. There are many other stones including agate, grossular garnet, serpentine (many forms), aventurine... being sold as jade. To make it worse and more complicated, many jadeite stones are being reconditioned and died to be very attractive so they pass general tests to be real. If you see very clear bangles, odds are they are agate, glass or something else. If you see very bright colors of red, yellow, purple... most likely not real. I say this as many buyers are being fooled on-line by these practices.