London blue topaz pendant

Like a drop of ocean water, this London Blue Topaz is hypnotizing. This gem is 34.2 carats and is IF (internally flawless) clarity – it doesn’t get clearer than this. The topaz is cut with a checkerboard surface.

The Topaz has a checkerboard cut along the whole surface, there’s no table across the surface. Prongs are holding the stone up above a silver pool base. This lift allows the light to shine through the deep blue. It lets the light move all around the beautiful stone and you can just see it sparkle.

WATER * I Change * FLOWING FORMLESSNESS – Transformative – Playful – Balance – Passionate

The 16” long sterling silver (1.85 mm) Omega chain is included.

The pendant is 5 cm long x 3.1 cm wide (2” x 1¼”)

and weighs 19.7 grams.

Argentium Silver is a high quality silver with a silver content of 940. It has the unique feature of having a small amount of Germanium added. Argentium Silver is whiter, harder and slower to tarnish. And it is always nickel-free.

For the ‘waves’ design (in the Water Design group) I start by imprinting Argentium silver sheet with sand – for a nice beach texture. Then cut the shape I want from the sheet of silver.

Next, with the softest torch, I roll the edges of the sand-textured silver. I carefully and gently melt the edge, just until the silver begins to ‘roll’.

Once I have the soft edges done, I lay out silver waves and granules, to mimic the water and pebbles of a beach shore, and then fuse them permanently in place.

I then solder prongs to the base plate. And I attach a bail for the pendant to hang on a chain.

With one final check, I make sure the shape is perfect, and I polish out any scratches or marks from the work process. Then I tumble for work hardening and polishing.

Argentium silver has one extra step. It must be heated. This brings the Germanium to the surface to protect the silver – slowing down tarnish and creating a very white, scratch resistant surface.

The Argentium silver has been textured, cut to shape, edges rolled, waves and granules fused on, prongs attached, bail soldered on, polished, work hardened and baked.

Now the silver is ready for the gemstone to be set. To set this stone I make sure the prongs are exactly the right height, then I carefully bend the silver over the stones edge.

A final polish to make the silver ‘mirror finish’ shiny.

And the pendant is ready to be enjoyed for years to come.