MOLDAVITE PENDANT $299 Tektite 925 Sterling Jewelry STARBORN CREATIONS M299-P10

Description: Tektites are a type of IMPACT GLASS, small, naturally-occurring objects, formed when a huge meteor slams into the Earth with such force that the surface rock material is melted and blasted into the upper atmosphere at high speeds. Here, the ejected molten rock cools and hardens, preserving its splashed, melted shape, which can also indicate how (and how fast) it was spinning in flight, if at all. Then, as it falls back down to Earth, it is subjected to "ablation", the surface melting due to the friction with the air, the result of its high speed flight back down through the atmosphere, creating its rough, pitted appearance (tiny crater-like indentations called Regmaglypts). Most pieces fracture or shatter upon hitting the ground but, depending on local conditions where each individual piece lands, some survive undamaged, in remarkable condition. MOLDAVITES were formed almost 15 million years ago when a very large meteor, just under a mile across, slammed into what is now southern Germany, creating the Ries Impact Basin, also called the Ries crater. Material was blasted out as described above, with the first recovered specimens being found in the late 1700's in the MOLDAU River Valley (in what is now the Czech Republic), hence the name MOLDAVITES. They usually appear as dull and darkish green in color when held in your hand but become beautifully translucent when held up to a light source. Prized by some New-Agers for their healing, magical and mystical properties, we prefer you appreciate them for their stunning beauty, rarity and scientific other-worldly origin. Just please remember, MOLDAVITES ARE NOT FROM SPACE! They are the splash, the ejecta, from when a massive meteor (which IS FROM SPACE!) collided with the Earth but they, themselves, are NOT FROM SPACE! This particular pendant measures 1 5/16" tall as it hangs, 5/8" at its widest point, and 1/4" at its thickest point. ALL of the metal in the setting for this pendant is Sterling Silver. The total weight of the pendant is 7.9 grams, which does NOT include the weight of the chain. For this pendant, this MOLDVITE (cut, polished, and faceted on its front surface) has been paired with a GIBEON iron METEORITE which has been cut, polished, and "etched" (Keep reading!). Scientifically, this meteorite, which landed during prehistoric times (but became known to western cultures in the early 1800's) in what is now Namibia, has no connection or association with this tektite, blasted out of a crater in Germany almost 15 million years ago. However, when coupled together, they make a striking pendant and represent two very different objects, both of which have flown through our atmosphere, one an object FROM space and the other created as a result of the impact of the first! When IRON METEORITES are cut and the resulting surface is cleaned, polished, and "etched" with a mild nitric acid, the crystalline structure of iron can be revealed in a criss-cross series of lines known as its Widmanstätten pattern. This is further proof that this is indeed a meteorite, as this pattern is not visible in earth-based iron, the result of a cooling rate from its original molten state to solid, on the order of a single degree over a million or so years. Based on this, the GIBEON METEORITE is classified as a Fine Octahedrite and its resulting Widmanstätten pattern is among the most beautiful, whether as a sliced fragment or cut and formed into jewelry. Due to its high nickel content, these meteorites are particularly resistant to corrosion, highly stable, and equally highly desired and collectible. VERY IMPORTANT NOTES...PLEASE READ! First off, the included tag for this pendant lists the carat weight of the MOLDAVITE specimen as 16.7 cts. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH AND WRONG! I might be more likely to let this go if it was listed as 1.67 cts, but I won't ever swear to that, so consider this piece for its beauty, NOT its carat weight. Speaking of its beauty, which is without question, this is NOT the correct color for a cut and etched natural GIBEON METEORITE. While it does NOT say it anywhere, this specimen had to have been Rhodium Plated to give it a higher sheen, to help protect it from scratches, and to prevent tarnishing, while protecting the appearance of its Widmanstätten pattern. WITHOUT this added layer of protection, from normal "wear and tear" as a piece of jewelry, GIBEON METEORITES can quickly lose this pattern and take on a dull grey look and MUCH less interesting appearance. The above photos are of the actual pendant that you will receive. A ruler and a quarter are shown in the one photo for scale and reference and all measurements are to the nearest 1/16th of an inch but rounded down, NOT up. The length/height is measured from the top of the setting to the bottom but does not include the bail or any part of its structure or the jump ring. Each pendant is custom made by hand, based on the individual specimen. The back of the jump ring is stamped with the "shooting star" logo of STARBORN CREATIONS along with "925" to authenticate that this is a Sterling Silver setting. To make this a complete gift, we also include an 18" (with a 2" extension) snake chain. The chain that is included is Sterling Silver plating over Brass, NOT solid Sterling Silver. As chain lengths and style are highly personal, it is possible to easily replace the included gift chain with a different one of your choosing, whether from your own collection or from your favorite jeweler. A descriptive identification/authentication card is included with each MOLDAVITE pendant. In this case, I will also include a card for the Gibeon meteorite, along with our contact information stamped on the back of each, for quick and easy reference, if needed. I have tried to show this pendant in the ways in which you might look at it as you held it in your hands, from front to back, top to bottom, side to side, and of course, held up in front of a bright light. All photos were taken with 3 daylight, color-balanced, compact fluorescent bulbs to provide even and consistent lighting results, whether photographed against a white or gray background. As a result, I have NOT had to adjust the brightness or contrast of the posted photos. They do show the most accurate color and shading nuances. However, the bright "hot spots" visible on the silver surfaces are the results of reflections from these lights. PLEASE NOTE: Our photo "studio" is controlled and maintained by Grace and Andi, who have generously contributed some of their own hair to "highlight and enhance" the background of some of our photos, since they do spend about 20 hours a day sleeping there. This was done without our knowledge or permission and we tried our best to remove all that we could before we started shooting...and we failed, miserably! While this IS an apparent "feature" of some of our photos, we will NOT be including any cat hair with your purchase! STARBORN jewelry purchases are NOT eligible for our usual, multi-item postage refund, since the cost of postage is NOT figured in to the final selling price. We cover the cost of postage as our way of saying Thank You for your fine jewelry purchase. You can combine this with other non-STARBORN items that I am selling to receive a refund for each additional item after the first, once shipped, not including any STARBORN items. This refund reflects my savings in postage fees by combining your orders and is based on the total weight of the items. International buyers are eligible for the multi-item discount on all non-STARBORN purchases WHEN YOU USE THE SHOPPING CART FEATURE AND PAY FOR ALL OF YOUR ITEMS IN A SINGLE PAYMENT (which will ALWAYS help you to save on shipping for ALL multi-item international purchases) and receive free shipping to the Global Shipping Program Center in Kentucky, USA, but are responsible for all additional fees for postage, customs, tariffs, and/or any other import charges. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE with our GUARANTEE! We have tried to present as clear a picture and description of each item as possible. However, if you are not happy with your decision, you can either exchange or return your STARBORN purchase, no questions asked, within 30 days of receiving it, as long as it is still in new, unaltered/undamaged condition, and returned with any/all accompanying paperwork or certification. Buyer is responsible for postage, both ways in the event of an exchange, and for return postage in the event of a return. All refunds on returns will be minus our original postage costs. Any questions? Contact me.

Price: 299 USD

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2023-09-04T20:35:06.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD