Ocean Jasper Freeform Earrings

$235

These earrings were designed and handmade in our home studio just outside of Seattle, WA. Each earring starts with a high quality gemstone to which a bail is added. A copper bezel is then electroformed around the stone to create a durable bond between metal and stone elements. The entire piece is then sent out to be further plated in silver at a thickness ten times the industry standard. This results in an heirloom quality piece that can be enjoyed for years to come with proper care.

Ocean Jasper is a unique type of chalcedony that is formed through a combination of volcanic activity and sedimentation. It is primarily found off the coast of Madagascar, near the town of Marovato.

The formation of Ocean Jasper begins with the eruption of volcanoes, which release silica-rich magma into the surrounding area. Over time, this magma cools and solidifies into igneous rocks, including rhyolite and basalt.

As the volcanic rocks begin to weather and erode, silica-rich fluids are released into the surrounding area. These fluids seep into cracks and cavities in the rocks and begin to crystallize, forming the intricate patterns and colors that are characteristic of Ocean Jasper. These swirling patterns and unique colors are caused by the presence of various minerals, including iron, manganese, and other trace elements.

Over time, layers of sediment build up on top of the volcanic rocks, burying the Ocean Jasper formations deep beneath the earth's surface. The pressure and heat from the overlying sediment help to further crystallize the Ocean Jasper, creating the dense and durable gemstone that is prized by collectors and jewelry makers today.

Copper electroforming is the process we use to apply a layer of copper to each piece of jewelry. A bail or any other components are added to the piece with a cyanoacrylate glue, the surface is then coated with a conductive paint that will enable the electric current to flow. The piece is then submerged in an electrolytic bath containing a solution of copper ions. The solution also contains a copper anode, which is the source of the copper ions that will be deposited onto the piece. The piece and the anode are connected to an electrical circuit with a power supply that delivers a low voltage DC current. This causes the copper ions to migrate to the conductive surface of the piece. Over time, the copper builds up on the surface, creating a thick layer. This can take several hours or even days, to build up a layer of copper that will be strong enough to hold its shape. Once the process is complete we patina and buff the copper or send it out to be further plated in gold or silver.

All of our silver, rose, and yellow gold pieces are plated with a thick, high quality plating that is ten times the thickness of the industry standard for plating. The plating is highly resistant to chipping, tarnishing, peeling and flaking. 

When wearing your plated rings, take them off when washing hands, showering, using lotion/chemicals or are planning to do hard work to avoid scraping the plated layer off of the ring.

Our chains are gold or silver fill to ensure their durability, selected from the highest quality chains by industry leading manufacturers. 

Chemical or abrasive cleaners are not advised for any plated jewelry. We recommend a soft polishing cloth, possibly one that includes a jeweler’s rouge for cleaning. Our favorite cloth is available at many retailers.

We offer FREE shipping in the United States with orders over $100. Items will ship 3-7 business days after your order is completed. We ship via USPS Priority or First Class Mail and will combine multiple items into one shipment. 

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handcrafted gemstone jewelry

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As we pride ourselves on creating jewelry for all bodies, all of our chains are available in any length for no extra charge! Our standard length is 18 inches but we can accommodate any request for shorter or longer chains. Please select your desired length in the drop down menu. If you don’t see the length you would like please let us know in the order note.

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