Kelp Forest of Monterey Bay Inspires Silver and Chrysocolla Pendant

July 21, 2014

Monterey Bay Kelp Forest

Kelp Forest, Monterey Bay

photo by Fred Hsu (photographer has given free use of this photo)

I am extremely lucky to live beside the Monterey Bay in California.  It is home to one of the largest kelp forests in the world and much life, including my favorite animal:  the sea otter.  Kelp forests are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems of the world.
 
When I was sketching designs for some new stones I'd purchased this past spring I was immediately struck by how this Bluebird Chrysocolla cabochon looked like a kelp forest.
 
 
After posting the drawing on Instagram a friend responded that this better be the first one I create after getting my metals studio back up and running.  Well, it wasn't the first, but it was the second!  Perhaps setting a marquis cut stone was not the best idea for getting back to my bench, but the whole process was meditative and reinforced patience.
 

Bluebird Chrysocolla set in Sterling Silver - Artisan Pendant inspired by the ocean

Kelp Forest necklace - SOLD

Sterling Silver

Bluebird Chrysocolla from a mine in Arizona that's beenclosed since the 1980s. The lapidarist purchased the rough from an old estate collection.

 
The result also gives me confidence to go running back to my stone storage and find my next victim!