Montana Agate Necklace Sterling Silver and Copper OOAK Western Artisan Pendant

There are stones that become part of a piece of jewelry, and there are stones that determine what the jewelry will become. This Montana Agate, with its origin from Montana’s famous Yellowstone River, is the latter.

The elongated natural agate displays remarkable translucent layers of amber, rust, warm brown and cream. Rather than placing the stone directly against silver, I backed it with brushed copper. The warmth of the copper beneath the translucent agate helps bring forward subtle color and detail that might otherwise remain hidden.

I handcrafted a castellated sterling silver bezel specifically for the stone. The individually cut edge creates a strong architectural frame around the agate and gives the necklace its distinctive Western character without overwhelming the natural beauty of the stone.

The sterling silver has been brought to a high polish and accented with dark patina in the recessed areas, creating contrast between bright silver, dark detailing, warm copper and the earthy colors of the Montana Agate.

A substantial loop-style sterling silver bail completes the pendant. It hangs from an 18-inch sterling silver chain finished with a lobster clasp.

The finished pendant measures approximately 2 1/4 inches long.

Materials
Natural Montana Agate
Sterling silver
Brushed copper backing

Pendant Length
Approximately 2 1/4 inches

Chain
18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp

Finish
High-polish sterling silver with dark patina and brushed copper beneath the stone

Design
Western with a modern, refined aesthetic

One of a Kind
Yes. This necklace was designed and handcrafted around this individual Montana Agate. The natural stone and handcrafted setting ensure that this exact piece cannot be duplicated.

Care
Store dry when not being worn and polish exposed sterling silver gently with a soft jewelry polishing cloth. Avoid chemical silver dips because they may remove the intentional dark patina.

Handcrafted by Montana Metalsmith
One stone. One setting. One original piece.