Recent Work

Herkimer Diamond ring

Boulder Opal Pendant

I have just finished these two pieces. The first pic is of a fine silver ring. I purchased a book "Structural Metal Clay"by Kate McKinnon
Kate has some great ideas for constructing rings and boxes in metal clay.
Herkimer diamonds are described as clear, lustrous, doubly terminated crystals of quartz - they are not true diamonds. These brilliant stones are also called "Middleville Diamonds" or "Little Falls Diamonds." They have the hexagonal habit of the typical quartz crystal but have terminations on both ends.

The second photo is of a fine silver pendant with a bezel set boulder opal. Boulder opals are distinguished by their layer of solid brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Boulder opals, as the name suggests, are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground. Thin veins of colourful opal forms in cracks and fissures in these boulders. They are renowned for the beautiful and intricate patterns of precious and common opal that run right through the host rocks. The patterns in the stone form beautiful pictures. Opal picture stones are in high demand world-wide.