Sticks & Stones: Clear Quartz & Eternalized Boxwood Cathedral Necklace // Electroformed Copper Necklace

Description

Nature, eternalized. This piece is a highlight of the “Sticks and Stones” collection – a collaboration between two master jewelry artists seeking to bridge the gap between the wild forest and the alchemist’s studio.

The centerpiece is a majestic Clear Quartz crystal, often called the “Master Healer” and believed by ancients to be the living incarnation of the Divine. It rests within the protective branches of real boxwood twigs, which have been eternalized in pure copper through the slow, atom-by-atom magic of the electrocauldron.

The Ritual of the Cathedral

This talisman acts as an antenna for higher guidance. While the Clear Quartz amplifies your intentions, the Herkimer Diamonds (the world’s oldest and clearest quartz) transmit a high-vibrational frequency that clears blocked energy. A small copper crescent moon is nestled within the branches, serving as a reminder of the shifting tides and the celestial influence on our earthly path.

Artisan Craftsmanship

• The Pendant: A 2 3/4″ x 3/4″ landscape of textures, featuring a dark, hand-applied patina that highlights the organic detail of the boxwood bark and the metallic “growth” of the copper.

• The Rosary Chain: This is not a standard chain; it is a labor of love. Twenty inches of sterling silver and copper wire, meticulously hand-beaded with Herkimer diamonds, clear quartz, and rock quartz.

• The Metal: Pure copper, the metal of the God Hermes, acts as a powerful conductor for the mystical energies of the stones.

Dimensions & Care

• Chain Length: 20 inches with a pure copper lobster clasp.

• Pendant Size: 2.75 inches long.

• Wearer’s Note: As this piece contains real organic materials preserved in copper, it should be treated as a sacred heirloom and worn with mindful care.

 

Copper is considered a mineral of energy and mental agility. In legend, copper is said to be the metal of the God Hermes, who facilitates that mental agility, and quick wit. Copper is an excellent conductor of energy, from electricity to the mystical subtle energies emanating from higher planes, etc. Thus, copper is said to enhance and transmit thoughts, even over long distances. Physically, copper is used in traditional folk remedy and crystal healing lore to bring in additional energies for all types of healing, treatment of arthritis, relieving pain of broken bones, sexual instability, and low energy.

Please remember that crystals and organic materials such as these real boxwood twigs, are tiny pieces of the earth and should be worn with care.

Created using a technique called electroforming. This is the intricate process of controlling an electrically charged chemical bath, and slowly depositing thin layers of metal (copper, silver, gold) from a cathode onto a conductive surface (anode), whether it be organic or inorganic material. This process is done slowly over a long period of time – depositing layer over layer, and generally takes from 12 – 24 hours just for the forming process. The entire process from start to finish for a piece can easily run into days!!

*******Understanding Copper******

How to enjoy wearing it and making Copper your FAVORITE jewelry metal!!

Copper Characteristics:

Copper is a pure elemental metal, CU on the periodic table.
Copper oxidizes and darkens when it comes in contact with the air in the environment (much like sterling silver, but more quickly). Oxidation happens even more quickly in the presence of sunlight, sweat, chlorine (swimming pools), chemicals and cosmetics. Therefore we suggest always removing your jewelry before bathing, swimming, exercising, doing dishes, or applying lotion or makeup. Always keep your jewelry clean and dry.

If you prefer the “aged” look that oxidation naturally gives copper, we recommend cleaning your jewelry with a bit of mild dish soap in warm water. You can use a soft bristle brush when necessary.
If you prefer a “bright” look to your copper, we recommend cleaning your copper jewelry by soaking in a glass bowl with a bit of vinegar and salt. ***This is not recommended for any jewelry with stones or any jewelry that has had a patina added during manufacture. It could permanently damage the piece.***

The Natural Reaction Between Copper and Your Skin

If you’ve ever seen copper roofs that have turned green, that is what is called copper patina. The copper has reacted with the environment and formed a coating on the surface of the metal. Environmental conditions including sunlight, dust, and rain, especially acidic rain, can cause this effect.

The same sort of thing can happen when copper comes in contact with your skin if your skin is acidic. The natural acids in your skin combine with copper and make copper salts which are green. They are harmless and can simply be washed off. The copper salts actually form on the copper and are rubbing off on your skin. The green color results from an individual’s body chemistry at a particular time. This is why two people can wear the same ring and one person’s finger will turn green and the others will not. A person can wear a copper bracelet one day with no green marks and the next day green marks might appear.

What does the green tell you? The green color means that your skin has become more acidic and has dissolved copper from the jewelry piece faster than the body can absorb it. This usually happens when we sweat, when we are stressed, or even when we experience dietary changes.

When the body is in a state of homeostasis, the copper is absorbed through the skin at the same rate it is dissolved from the jewelry so there are no green marks.
I coat my copper pieces with Renaissance Wax which helps a great deal with slowing down both oxidation and patination, however the wax is not a permanent coating and with time and wear it will diminish.