About this piece: "Alchemist’s Heart"

This lovely handcrafted, one of a kind solid sterling silver necklace is set with an exquisite, expertly cut and polished Opalized Petrified Wood HEART cabochon. I could stare at this incredibly rare pattern of fiery oranges and rust, deep charcoal and blue, turquoise and marbled teals forever. I've blackened the sterling around the stone to create a beautiful frame. On the reverse, I've cutout the elemental signs for Fire, Water, Earth and Wind in a rustic style. On the lower front, a whimsical single heart wraps around the side. An incredible bespoke work of art.

The necklace itself is made from oxidized sterling silver cable chain, with hand-wired connections of classy bali-silver beads and double hooks - this makes it easy to put on anytime! (Accessible for those who do not like to fiddle with clasps or worry about the stone staying in the center of the necklace.). No detail has gone unnoticed. You can choose your length of chain from the menu.

The pendant is approximately 39mm x 43mm or about 1.5" x 1.65".

The silver has been oxidized (blackened) to bring out the beauty of the design.

Our logo and hallmark also whimsically appear on the reverse of the pendant. This is a breathtaking necklace that will be treasured by its owner. The photos do not do the beauty of this stone justice - it is just gorgeous.

All of my jewelry is handmade in the form of centuries old tools - torch, hammers, anvils and saws. As such, you may see the rustic marks of forging. This never interferes with the structural integrity of the piece, and is considered to add to the beauty of something labored over - not cast from a machine or mass factory.

About the Stone & Properties:

The opalization process

Burial: A tree falls and is quickly covered by mud, volcanic ash, or other sediment, protecting it from oxygen and decay.
Infiltration: Over long periods, groundwater that is rich in dissolved silica percolates through the buried wood.
Replacement: The silica-rich water deposits opal, which gradually replaces the wood's organic material molecule by molecule.
Preservation: This slow replacement process preserves the original texture, grain, and even the cellular structure of the wood, creating a fossil replica in opal.

Metaphysical properties

Opalized petrified wood combines the grounding and stabilizing energy of petrified wood with the soothing, healing, and spiritual energy of opal. It is used for grounding, balancing emotional and spiritual states, and fostering patience and steady growth. This unique stone helps clear emotional stress, promotes healthy expression of feelings, and provides a sense of safety and stability, especially for those starting new journeys.

About the Artist:

I'm Bonnie Swensrud, and my family and I proudly design, forge, and finish every item you see in this shop. I've been a silversmith for 25 years, and this business is the heart of our family. Most of our work is in soft metals like fine and sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze, and gold. We love to include natural stones and minerals, adding to the meaning and energy of our pieces. Our small shop is in the Pacific Northwest, in the shadow of the beautiful Mt. Rainier. Our work is inspired by beautiful thick green forests, abundant marine life, teeming lakes and ponds, the smell of rain, ancient petrified wood and agates, the profound experiences of everyday life, and the bounding laughter of our five children.

Each of our collections has a special story. Every member of our family is involved in our process - from the choosing of the stones from all over the world, to the design ideas, to the strength and architecture of the pieces. Every single item in our collections is one-of-a-kind - from the hand-sawing of the silver, to the rare and beautiful stones, to the hand-pressed dies made from antique hubs, the soldering of the accents, and finally to our quality mark.

When you purchase our art, you are not just obtaining a beautiful, handcrafted item - you are also receiving a piece of our story. Our heart, our energy, our effort and our family all come bundled in every piece we make. We hope you love it.

About Our Work:

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All pieces are shipped ready for gift-giving in our unique packaging. Would you like to ship directly to the recipient as a gift? Let us know you'd like a gift card included. Your receipt will be sent to your email - so no worries about the recipient knowing the cost.

All of our work is one of a kind, hand forged, and will be rustic and unique. Not every part of it will be even, there will be evidence of the work that went into the piece. Our detailed photos show our work from every angle. Our pieces feature our name and hallmark, and are made to be sturdy and worn. That said, if you should have any issues, please contact us with questions. We do not accept returns or exchanges, but will be happy to work with you on resolution of any issues.