Sandrine B. Valentine Pendant
Auction Closed: Congratulations to the highest bidder.
Sandrine B. Valentine Pendant
Designer MSRP: $2,230.00
100% proceeds from this sale will be donated to NEST in support of its Jewelers United Program, part of the Makers United Program.
Crafted out of Sterling Silver and 14k yellow gold, both recycled metals, this pendant showcases a variety of responsibly sourced gems, including an 8mm Oregon Sunstone, two 3.5mm Montana Sapphire Hexagons, two 6x3mm Brazilian Fire Citrine Baguettes and two 3x1.5x1mm Australian Sapphire Tapered Baguettes. The pendant and bail were hand-carved in wax and cast using the lost wax process. The silver front of the pendant displays a sandblast finish, which contrasts to the gold centerpiece, which has a high bright polish. The back of the pendant is also a bright polish.
Total Pendant Weight (w/chain): 17.8 dwt / Approximate Pendant Dimensions: 52x45mm / Chain Length: 18 inches
How your purchase supports the supply chain.
Every purchase you make with Columbia Gem House supports a responsible supply chain. We work with individual miners and cutters, while offering careful consideration and respect to the cultures, communities, and environments in which our gems are produced. These are some of the key guiding principles in how our gems are brought to market. To learn more about our process, visit our Fair Trade Gems® Principles & Protocols page.
Additional Information
This piece was inspired by the MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge Story
When I create a custom piece, I always draw a lot of inspiration from the stones. In this case, I wanted to create one piece that represented three individuals. Since Jackie knows that Lorna favors necklaces and earrings, I decided to create a pendant using all of the stones.
There is a lot of positivity and good energy in Lorna’s story so I opted to set the sunstone in the center of the pendant, like the sun that radiates light and goodness in the center of our solar system. Since the stone is from Lorna’s mother, it also seemed fitting for the center of the piece. Around the sunstone, I hand carved a sun design, with the rays pointing toward the other gemstones, which represent the mother’s two daughters and are set along the top and bottom of the pendant. In a nod to Lorna’s love for Greek history, I added a Greek key pattern around the edge of the piece. In ancient Greece, the key pattern represents unity and eternity, which felt appropriate for a piece representing a mother and her daughters.
The piece features a matte finish, so the metal doesn’t detract from the stones. I’ve also kept the piece on the lighter side so it’s easy for Lorna to wear regularly. I want it to be something that she would want to have with her at any given time.
Sandrine Valentine is the owner of Sandrine B. Jewelry in New York City.
