The very last of the (somewhat delayed) Nocturne Collection. Though it feels right that the cool blue labradorites should find their way to you in January. These labradorites fit right into the landscape. I love them so!
Oh! Before I forget, I just wanted to put a quick reminder here. I know I mentioned it with the last Nocturne offering, but do expect for these stones to have some quirks and slight imperfections.
All labradorite has a crystalline structure that makes it hard for lapidarists to cut, and most finished cabochons will have visible layers, flakes, surface crackles, fissures, etc.
Blue labradorite is much more common, so I tried to be selective with stone quality. But there were some stones that have just the most gorgeous flash, I loved them despite some slight surface quirks.
I tried to take photos from several angles, so you could choose the perfect pieces for you!
Memento Mori Necklaces
Suspended from a chain adjustable between 17″ – 20″
Price: $155 – $190 per necklace
This iteration of my Memento Mori design (the other version included little sterling poppies and coffin shaped labradorites) was inspired largely by Victorian mourning jewelry.
When a beloved passed, some would honor them by carrying a lock of their hair in a brooch or a necklace inscribed with their initials and death dates.
Others would commission miniature paintings of just their beloved’s eye, just one single eye kept in a locket or on a pin.
I think often of mourning jewelry. Initially, the antique pieces I’d seen in museums of braided hair and tiny never-blinking eyes seemed morbid.
But as I get older, I can understand how precious these memento mori pieces must have been.
And so, this offering is my take on Victorian mourning jewelry.
Hidden eyes made of blue labradorite set above singular, eternal sterling teardrops.
Memento Mori Rings
Set tall atop half-round bands for comfort
US Ring Sizes Available:
5, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7,
7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,
8.75, 8.75, 9, 9, 9, 9.75, 10, 10.5
Price: $140 per ring
A ring for remembrance.
This ring has been hand-sawn and forged from sterling silver. This design features a deep blue labradorite gemstone, built with a narrow lip so that the dark oxidization really makes the stone pop.
Below the stone is a single, polished teardrop. A gentle tear for the departed.
On the backs of the stone cup, I have inscribed a open eye. So when holding looking at it from the back, it looks as though the eye is crying.
When the ring sits atop the finger, the teardrop will gently roll along the finger, like a tear tracing the curve of a cheek.
It can also be worn however, you like! I tried to place the band in the middle so that it would be balanced atop the hand. You can have the teardrop trail down to your fingertip, or sit closer to the back of your hand so you can always see it.
It has been oxidized and brushed to offset the bright flash of the stone.
The gemstones measure 16mm from top to bottom, see a photo of the ring being worn for size reference.
Memento Mori Cuff Bracelets
Sizes Available:
Small/Medium (5.75″) – 9 bracelets
Medium/Large (6.75″) – 6 bracelets
Price per bracelet: $210
This adjustable cuff bracelet is hand-forged from sterling silver.
Each cuff features a lovely, flashing blue labradorite gemstone. And below the stone is a single, tiny sterling teardrop, gently resting atop the wrist.
On the back of the cuff is an eye silhouette, a secret remembrance.
The stones measure 25mm across, and are roughly the same size as an American quarter.
The bracelet has been oxidized and hand polished for a textured, organic look, and to bring out the lowlights, and accent the flash of a stone.
The cuff band is made from double half-round bands. And it is it is comfortably adjustable so you can gently shape it to your wrist.
The cuff measurement categories are Small/Medium, which measure about 5.75″ around with a 1″ gap for taking the cuff on and off. And Medium/Large, which measure about 6.75″ around with a 1″ gap.
Memento Mori Earrings
Suspended from polished earwires
Price: $155 per pair of earrings
And here, the earrings. Labradorites of varying hues, cut in a soothing smooth, oval cut.
The stones measure 18mm from top to bottom.
As with the necklaces, on the backs of each of the earrings is a tiny window showing the back of the stone, sawn in the shape of an abstract eye.
The amount of flash on the backs of the earrings varies from stone to stone, I was most focused of creating pairs that were pleasing from the front.
The earrings are mostly teal labradorites, soothing and joyous.
However, there are a few pairs with the dark blue labradorites. I know there are lots of you who love those dark stones with their furtive magic!
Carpe Noctem Necklaces
Suspended from a chain adjustable between 17″ – 20″
Price: $145 – $165 per necklace
In addition to the blue labradorite and silver teardrop designs, there will also be another brand new design that I am over the moon for!
A necklace made for those for whom creativity pools and glows during those deepest hours of the night. A necklace for plucking stars out of the sky and wearing them around your neck.
For relishing being the only one awake while everyone else sleeps on. For cups of midnight oil and the sparkling Milky Way.
These necklaces are made of black onyx, and each has swatth of druzy crystals spilling across the fronts of the stones, like fields of sparkling stars across a deep night sky.
Above each stone is a sterling silver star, ever fixed north, double layered to border the star with shadow. The star is fabricated so the chain slips through a loop at the back, making it as though the star floats atop the chain.
On the backs is the phrase CARPE NOCTEM, which is Latin for “seize the night.” And surrounding that inscription is a playful arrangement of stars and sparkles.
As ever, for the necklaces I will put the measurements of the pendants in the description if you are looking for a specific size. I will also loosely divide them into size categories.
There are also photos of the necklaces next to American quarters which are exactly 1” across, as well as photos of the necklaces in my hand.
Labradorite, the stone with a thousand variations.
Some are dark, like a tempestuous sky, with a blue flash cracking when you least expect it. Others are light a joyous, teals I am convinced water nymphs would cherish.
Some have a bold, full flash. Others have a more furtive flash, like a secret flame only the wearer knows how to find.
Some are smooth and liquidy, with unexpected depths with flecks floating through. Others are crackled and lined, like an ancient stone containing rough magic.
I can never decide which I like best!
Everything will alight in the SHOPIFY shop at 7pm EST
SUNDAY, January 21st.
Click here for a direct link to where they will appear.
And remember, refresh your page often once the clock strikes 7:00 EST, until they all appear.
If you have been waiting for this offering, I hope you catch the very perfect piece!
