Creation of "First Heart"

 First, two lengths one of sterling silver, and one of 14K gold-filled are cut, curled and tapered at the ends with a metal hammer. At this stage it is important to get the two pieces formed into the desired shape, since after hammering it is difficult, if not impossible to reshape them without compromising the quality of the finished piece.

This cold forging process also hardens the metal as well as giving it a hand worked look and feel.  

For this particular pendant, I wanted a slightly irregular pattern for the curls, so they wouldn't match exactly.  This gives a more interesting and handcrafted look to the design.

Then they are moved around untill the pieces settle on one another naturally. The pieces are then hammered together carefully untill a niche is created where they cross. After all that hammering, the metals require a good polish to remove surface scratches made by the cold forging process.  This is done with a buffing wheel and two different types of buffs. The first buff is semi-hard and is treated with a medium cutting compound that will smooth any nicks in the metal, the second is a softer buff treated with a compound that brings up the luster and shine.

The finished pendant is then wired together, using no solder or glue, and is solid and secure.  A jump ring is also wired onto the heart frame, in with the gemstones.  The variations on this design are endless in shape, size, and gemstones used.

This one is embellished with pink tourmaline.  Pendants can be reproduced to a degree in this heart design with just about any gemstone or combination thereof, and no two will be exactly alike. 

Click image for more views and to enlarge FirstHeart

 HRT-001

 "First Heart"

Sterling Silver and 14K gold-filled fancy

heart pendant with abacus-shaped pink

tourmaline. Comes with 18" sterling silver

rolo style chain finished with sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

 $95.00