Black Tourmaline Pendant ‘Spaceman’

A pendant made to order.

A one-of-a-kind pendant crafted from a sizable piece of black tourmaline, which I intricately wrapped with the purest 999 silver. Into the silver coils enveloping the stone, I incorporated a bead of natural coral, enclosed in an openwork silver sphere. I hung the pendant on a long chain with textured links made of 925 silver. The entire piece is oxidized and carefully polished.

Tourmaline, a complex borosilicate mineral, boasts a rich palette of colors, making it one of the most versatile and sought-after gemstones in the world. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” which means “mixed gems,” aptly reflecting the array of colors tourmaline can exhibit, from vibrant pinks and greens to deep blues. The gemstone’s origin story is as colorful as the mineral itself, with deposits found across the globe, including Brazil, Africa, and Afghanistan, contributing to its diverse color range. Tourmaline’s history is filled with fascinating lore, including beliefs that it could inspire artistic expression and ward off negative energy. Among the variety of tourmalines, black tourmaline, known as schorl, stands out for its deep, opaque hue and is prized for its grounding properties.

Tourmaline jewelry is celebrated not only for its beauty but also for the gemstone’s purported ability to generate an electric charge and emit negative ions and far-infrared rays. This unique feature has made tourmaline jewelry highly regarded among both aficionados and those looking for jewelry with added benefits. A tourmaline pendant, in particular, serves as a stunning showcase of the stone’s vibrant colors and intricate internal structures, making each piece unique. Black tourmaline pendants are especially valued for their protective qualities, often worn as talismans to shield against negative energies. The crafting of tourmaline jewelry requires a skilled hand, as the gemstone’s pleochroism – a property that means it can show different colors or depths of color when viewed from different angles – adds to the complexity of its cut and setting.

The wide array of colors found in tourmaline, from watermelon hues that combine pink and green in a single crystal to the sought-after Paraíba tourmaline with its neon blues, makes it a favorite among collectors and jewelry designers alike. Black tourmaline, or schorl, which accounts for the majority of tourmaline found worldwide, is not only valued for jewelry but also for its use in purifying and neutralizing one’s environment. The fascination with tourmaline and its varieties like black tourmaline extends beyond their aesthetic appeal to include an appreciation for their metaphysical properties. Whether featured in elaborate pieces of tourmaline jewelry or simple, elegant pendants, these gemstones continue to enchant with their beauty and mystical qualities, bridging the gap between the natural world and human artistry.

Coral, an organic gemstone, is formed by the skeletal remains of marine polyps, whose colonies grow over hundreds of years to create intricate and colorful underwater structures. With origins in the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean near Japan and Australia, coral has been used in jewelry and decorative objects for millennia, symbolizing life and blood force in ancient cultures. The history of coral jewelry dates back to the Romans, who believed coral could protect children from harm, and to the Victorians, who favored it in their ornate pieces. A coral pendant, often carved into beautiful shapes or left in its natural form, captures the essence of the sea and is cherished for its unique texture and vibrant hues. Despite its beauty, the harvesting of coral for jewelry and ornaments has led to conservation efforts to protect these vital marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in the use of coral.

Materials:
– Black tourmaline
– Coral
– Silver of 925 and 999 purity

Colors:
Black, gray, silver, red

Dimensions:
Pendant: 5 x 3.4 x 2.3 cm. Chain length: 82 cm plus extension.
Stone weight: 38 g. Weight of 999 silver: 19.5 g. Weight of 925 silver: 9.5 g. Total weight: 67 g.