An assortment of semi-precious stones is what gives this pendant its eye-pleasing colors. Accented with sterling granules and roped edges, inlays of lapis, coral, and gaspeite surround a reconstituted turquoise stone for a globally inspired look taken right out of a bustling flea market.
- Multicolored gemstone pendant
- Made of sterling silver
- Gemstones include lapis, coral, gaspeite, and reconstituted turquoise
- Measure approximately 1’’L (plus hook) x 0.625’’W
- Made in Thailand
- Sold as a pendant. Chain sold separately
This item may feature slight variations in color, finish, and overall appearance. Such characteristics enhance the unique beauty of each piece.
design: An oval sterling silver pendant with an oxidized, floral-style frame, its bezel setting bordered by twisted rope wire and centered on a single turquoise cabochon surrounded by a cluster of smaller gemstones in blue, coral, and green tones.
size: Approximately 1"L (plus bail) x 0.625"W.
material: Sterling silver, lapis lazuli, coral, gaspeite, and reconstituted turquoise.
features: Oxidized silver background for stone contrast, twisted rope-wire edging, sterling granulation detail, bezel-set gemstone cluster, pendant only (chain sold separately)
care: Wipe with a soft polishing cloth after wear and store away from moisture to keep the sterling silver and stone inlays looking their best.
disclaimer: Because the gemstones are natural or reconstituted material and each pendant is individually set by hand, slight variations in color, shape, and finish are normal and part of the piece's character.
The Story
This pendant reflects a hallmark of Thai silverwork: a cluster of small cabochon gemstones bezel-set around a central stone, all framed by an oxidized silver ground that makes each color pop. The technique of blackening the recessed silver while polishing the raised edges is a longstanding finishing method among Thai silversmiths, used to add depth and contrast without any extra material.
The twisted rope wire bordering each bezel and the small granulated silver beads scattered through the setting are both traditional silversmithing details built up entirely by hand, wire by wire and bead by bead, rather than cast in one piece. Combining several gemstone colors in a single cluster setting is a familiar approach in Thai silver jewelry, letting the silverwork itself, not a single dominant stone, carry the design.
The result is a piece that reads as intricate metalwork first and gemstone jewelry second, a balance that has long defined silver craftsmanship from this region.
A pendant like this starts with sterling silver sheet and wire: the silversmith cuts and shapes the scalloped outer frame, then fabricates individual bezels to hold each cabochon. Rope wire is twisted and soldered around the settings by hand, and tiny silver granules are fused on one at a time for texture. The piece is oxidized to darken the recesses, then hand-polished so the raised silver catches the light before the gemstones are cut, polished, and set into their bezels.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Thailand
- Craft Tradition: Thai silversmithing
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a colorful, detailed statement pendant with visible handwork
- Wear It With: Hang on a simple sterling silver chain and let the pendant's color and detail stand on their own
- Purpose: Everyday wear, gifting, layering, statement jewelry
- Gemstone: Lapis, Coral, Gaspeite, Reconstituted Turquoise
- Metal: Sterling Silver
The four stones set into this pendant each bring a different history. Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock that has been mined and used in ornament and pigment for thousands of years. Coral is an organic gem formed from the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps, prized for its warm red-orange color. Gaspeite is a comparatively rare nickel carbonate mineral, first identified in Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, valued in silver jewelry for its bright apple-green tone. The center stone is reconstituted turquoise, made by compressing genuine turquoise powder into a stable, consistently colored stone, a common and durable choice for hand-set silver work.
Questions & Answers
Does this pendant come with a chain?
No, this listing is for the pendant only. A chain can be purchased separately.
What is reconstituted turquoise?
It's genuine turquoise that has been ground down and compressed into a solid, stable stone, giving it a consistent color and added durability for jewelry making.
What are the other colored stones on the pendant?
The cluster includes lapis lazuli (deep blue), coral (orange-red), and gaspeite (green), bezel-set around the central turquoise stone.
How is this pendant made?
It's hand-fabricated in sterling silver: the frame and bezels are shaped and soldered by hand, finished with twisted rope wire and granulated silver detail, then set with hand-cut cabochons.
How should I care for it?
Wipe with a soft polishing cloth after wearing and store it away from moisture to help the silver and stones stay in good condition.
