Art Nouveau Jewellery is a great source of inspiration for my designs, with its emphasis on the best quality materials, meticulously hand crafted into flowing naturalistic designs. When I spotted this beautiful large pink rose quartz cabochon (it is over 1/2" across) with sparkling silvery veins running through it, I decided to set it in a rose shaped silver pendant. I cast the rosebud from a real flower using fine silver clay to pick up the details, then backed it with sterling silver for strength. I pierced and carved the claw setting by hand in my workshop and then created a loop of wire and carved two leaves complete with veining detail to hang from the rosebud bail. The claw setting recalls the thorns which are a natural foil to the most beautiful scented roses, and also allows the light to play inside this really special stone, making it glow from within. This pendant measures 35 mm or just under 3/4" in length and is supplied with a 450 mm 17 3/4" trace chain. It is stamped with a full UK hallmark for sterling silver and comes beautifully packaged in its own gift box with a satin ribbon. My final photograph shows the pendant next to a vintage lipstick case, which measures 3" in length, to give a sense of scale. Truly an original one-off design, this would make a meaningful and thoughtful gift for any occasion.

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