Dark Aurora Opal Heart Pendant

This fabulous Aurora Opal Synthetic heart in Dark blues, reds, and purples pairs beautifully with this genuine Art Nouveau design to create a special gift! The Fine Silver backplate for this pendant was made from an impression die that was originally carved during the Art Nouveau period around the early 1900's. I have information about these dies listed below. Pendant comes on an 18" sterling silver chain.

In die stamping, an original master die, called a hub, was hand carved by an artist in steel. These artists did not have electricity or modern tools, they used chisels and rudimentary tools to do this amazing work. The hub was carved in the male orientation, with the 3D design visible as it would be used in jewelry. This male hub was used to create a female (reverse orientation) die that could be used to mass produce stamped final impressions. These would then be used in jewelry making.

In recent years, my die supplier, Potter Tools USA, has been striving to save the original master dies around the world. Factories have been closing over the past 20-80 years due to changing consumer demand and technology. The factory owners would save their masterpiece hobs, protecting and hiding them from war driven steel collection drives. Those master hubs would be passed down through family lines. As consumer interest diminished in Revival styles, and steel prices increased, the 2nd and 3rd generations of these families have been selling off these masterpieces, often opting to sell as scrap steel.

The Potter family has a family mission to save these unique pieces of art and history and they have spent the past 10 years tracking down and buying collections as they are headed to the scrap dealers. These collections are from some of the most prestigious jewelry firms all around the world. They also save and use original machinery in their machine shop, updating it to electric and supplementing with modern machinery to provide dies from those saved master hubs.

The jewelry made from these dies is not considered "replica" jewelry, it is stamped directly from the historical master hub. The work of those artists from the turn of the 19th century directly creates this piece of jewelry via the die stamping process. I am so fortunate to have access to these pieces of history and they give me great joy! I hope you will enjoy these unique and beautiful windows into history, as well.

Your pendant will be placed in a Shiny Sparkly Things gift box and carefully packed for shipping. Please report any shipping damage or problems within 7 days of receipt and I will get you taken care of. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason, please contact me within 7 days of receipt for a refund authorization. I am deeply committed to providing my customers with the same service I give my family and friends and want you to think of me when you think of great service (and beautiful, unique jewelry, too, of course!).

Thank-you!

Sherri B

Sparkly Girl