How We Created This Hand Forged and Hand Engraved Necklace

Sometimes there is that one piece that takes years to get right, and this hand forged, hand engraved necklace is one of those pieces.

I purchased the Amazonite gemstone from a stone cutter in 2019. A hand cut gemstone from someone in my community that I was completely in love with. I sat with it for nearly three years before crafting it into a pendant in 2022.

Something that I really enjoy doing to the jewelry I create, is to fill it with as much detail as I can. From the very beginning of my jewelry practice, I have been putting secret details on the back of my pendants. You as the wearer get to decide to keep the secret for yourself, or share it with the world. This pendant originally featured a cut out snake symbol that I have been including in my work for many many years, with space around the snake originally left as plain silver.

The pendant sat in a case at Mojave Flea Yucca Valley for nearly two years before I decided to give it a transformation. I would periodically think about this piece, wondering if it was something I just needed to keep for myself (because sometimes that happens).

During my time without this necklace I learned many many new skills that enhance the silversmithing work I do. I learned the ancient art of chain making, as well as the technical craft of hand engraving. 

In the spring of 2024 I had my hand at chain making. I have a book that I used as a guide, and got to work. Starting with 60 feet of fine silver wire, I shaped, fused, formed, and drew out the Etruscan chain that is featured in this necklace. This isn't a stock chain, it is 100% hand forged and not something you can just purchase on etsy. 

When the chain was finished I sat with it for a while, not really sure what it's final form would be. I wore it around without a pendant, but nothing about it felt finished yet. That was until I had the Amazonite pendant returned to me from where it was being displayed. 

Because of said desire to put as much detail on every piece I create, I thought since there was so much space on the back of this pendant ,that I would fill it with hand engraved details. I have been learning the art of ornamental design and currently my favorite form of ornamental design are Mandalas. Expansive floral patterns that start from a center point and work in a circular form around that point. 

One evening I was tinkering around in my studio and thought to put this pendant on the Etruscan chain I had forged months before, and it was like the stars aligned. These two pieces were destined to be together. Created over the span of nearly three years, all of the pieces came together exactly as they were meant to. 

I created a youtube video sharing with you the process of creating the hand forged chain and adding the hand engraved details to the pendant. Many many hours of work condensed into a video I hope you thoroughly enjoy.

If you would like to purchase this necklace, it is currently on display in partnership with Tailored West and Fremont Center For The Arts .

 You can watch the full video on my youtube channel here.

Thank you so much for being here and allowing me to share my creative journey with you.

-Sabina