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magpiesmiscellany — Sparkling Cream and Gold Ammonite Pendant
Published: 2012-08-16 04:13:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 1659; Favourites: 68; Downloads: 13
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Description
Ammonite half in 14K gold fill.2 1/18" by just over 1 1/4" wide.
Picked this guy up at the mineral show this weekend, anyone know where it's from or why the different coloring and crystalization than the brown/grey I've seen most commonly? I've seen plenty of shades of brown varients but never anything this pale or with those almost hairlike crystals in the chambers.
Sold, though it has cousins on my etsy shop [link]
(I'd still like to know why the drastic color difference and crystal shape, and where I can get more, if anyone knows the answer to any or all of those questions!)
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Comments: 48
Hm, I can only theorize, but I guess the crystals come from a faster cooling of the silicic acid.
In other ammonites the crystals are larger and fill out the entire shell. They are so large that you can see they are mostly clear or stained brown.
When the silicic acid cools down faster, it can't make large crystals, but only small ones. They will refract the light in a way that they seem not clear but white.
And obviously the petrification process was over quite soon with no more silicic acid diffusing into the shell. That, which was already in, crystallized (reducing its volume by that, so that there are holes left) and then nothing more came.
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Neat, thank you! I wasn't sure what caused large or small crystals forming. I noticed that these were longer and thinner than I usually see. A lot of times the proportions seem about the same regardless of the size.
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Many thanks! I've yet to find another ammonite like this. Always keeping an eye out
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Oooooh this is just lovely! The wire wrapping compliments the ammonite so perfectly!
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Many thanks, they're a crabby shape to work with, but I love them!
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The frosty crystals are remarkable. It looks almost soft. Once again, reluctantly approving the twisted wire. Ugh, Sandra, stop making me eat my words.
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The damn twinkle makes them even softer. I'm. Such a sap ....
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Hey, I'm the one who pounced on them and bought nearly a dozen ammonite pairs. Though this was the only of this color scheme I've found. (Downside being I store it in a bag so those little crystals don't get dusty!)
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Really pretty and the twisted wire mirrors the walls of individual chambers beautifully.
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The cleaness of the shape always fascinates me.
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Lovely. I used have something similar about 10 years ago. Alas, it was stolen. This is a truly gorgeous piece
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Oh I'm sorry, that's rotten.
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It happens 
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That's so cool. I'd love to try it. There was one place a little way off to take classes, but it was a big group, not an apprenticeship situation.
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Sorry to hear that. I was lucky enough to know the goldsmith personally. Did nearly have a heatattack when I knocked over a tray of teeny diamonds though! Lucky we found them all
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Oh my, yeah, with my coordination that might be a bad idea...
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Glad I'm not the only one
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FIne motor skills=not as good as I'd like but pretty good. Ability to function beyond crafting=not so hot and covered in bruises!
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I think it goes with creative people - we channel all our motor skills into our work
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very cool. I just love the tiny crystals. I can't get small ammonites here, the rock dealers have huge ones, but none small enough for jewelry making.
The hunt is on.
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Where are you (if you dont' mind my asking)?
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wow amazing wire wrapping job. Love the heart at the top! So pretty! <3
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The heart was unintentional, mostly a consequence of loving to use loops and spirals
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This is really elegant, shows off the stone really well, just a spiral twist at the top to echo the stone. Beautifully done.
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Thank you. I love doing these, but always forget how long the style takes for some reason. The different thicknesses perhaps.
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This came out looking fantastic, beautiful work as always!
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This is one of those pictures that I could look at all day and still find something new to admire.
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Some day I will abduct you to run amuck with at one of these shows
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beautiful! i've never seen a crystal-y one before either~ it's so pretty!
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Thank you. I'm still hoping to figure out why the difference.
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