A stunning, unique piece featuring the rare and captivating Pietersite gemstone, set in solid sterling silver.
This handcrafted pendant showcases a beautiful, polished cabochon of dark blue and black Pietersite. The stone's famous chaotic chatoyancy—a silky, shimmering effect—is clearly visible, appearing as vibrant swirls and flashes of blue, gold, and gray across its surface. The organic shape of the stone is enhanced by a sleek, curved structure of sterling silver that cradles the gem.
Pietersite: The Gemstone of the Storm
Pietersite is an intriguing and relatively rare mineral, often nicknamed the "Tempest Stone" because its swirling colors and fibrous patterns are reminiscent of a fierce, swirling storm.
• Discovery and Origin: It was first described in 1962 by mineralogical collector Sid Pieters, after whom it is named. The primary source for this material is the remote desert region near Kuruman, Namibia, Africa. A secondary, reddish-brown variety has also been found in the Henan Province of China.
• Unique Composition: Pietersite is a variety of chalcedony (a microcrystalline quartz). It is formed from a brecciated (fragmented) aggregate of quartz with embedded fibers of other minerals.
• The Flash Effect: Its unique shimmering appearance is due to the presence of embedded fibers of crocidolite—the same mineral that causes the "eye" effect in Tiger's Eye and Hawk's Eye stones. However, in Pietersite, geological stresses have fractured and re-cemented these fibers, resulting in the brilliant, random, and "chaotic" chatoyancy that sets it apart.
Pendant Details
• Gemstone: Natural Pietersite
• Metal: Solid Sterling Silver (.925)
• Setting Style: Hand-formed contoured structure
• Color: Deep blue-black with chatoyant flashes of blue, gold, and grey
• Finish: High Polish
• Bail: Attached polished sterling silver tapered bail
• Approximate size (including bail): 1 3/4" tall and 3/4" wide
This pendant is a perfect statement piece for collectors of unique, eye-catching gemstones and fine handmade jewelry.
Note: This is the pendant only - chain NOT included