Not precisely steampunk, but "steampunky", and not precisely goth, but "gothy", the combination of metallic pyrite and shimmering brown tiger eye is dark, earthy, and industrial all at the same time. The hand-knotted silk makes the movement of the hesihi beads in the strand are extremely fluid, but the heavy tiger iron cross gives the necklace real mass and solidity.
The Latin cross is cut from tiger iron, a mixture of iron ore and tiger eye found only in Australia, and hangs from a simple hand-wrapped clasp. The tiger eye and pyrite heishi beads are hand-knotted on black silk and finished with a simple raw brass clasp. The necklace is approximately 20 inches long, including the clasp.
Disclosure: Please note that the display mannequin in the photo is about half-human scale; the necklace has been draped around the back of the mannequin to simulate how the necklace would hang. Please refer to the other photos for a picture of the entire necklace and an indication of scale. Brass is not hypoallergenic and those prone to skin irritation should consider one of my pieces using sterling silver or vermeil findings. Like all silk knotted necklaces, care should be taken not to get this necklace wet, and it should be stored flat: silk will stretch over time. Like all of my jewelry, this necklace is not intended for use by persons under 13.
About the stones:
Often called “fool’s gold,” pyrite is disulfide of iron and cubic crystals are found in iron-rich igneous and metamorphic rock world-wide. The name pyrite comes from the Greek word "pyr", meaning fire, because pyrite struck with an iron hammer gives off sparks. In folklore, pyrite is associated with wealth and is supposed to strengthen the mind (perhaps so you can distinguish pyrite from gold!)
Tiger eye is a member of the quartz family, comprised of silicon dioxide (quartz) heavily included with croicidolite, an iron and sodium mineral otherwise known as asbestos. Croicidolite is naturally blue green, and it often dissolves out of the tiger’s eye, leaving iron oxide behind and resulting in gold or reddish tiger’s eye. Blue tiger’s eye or hawks-eye occurs when some croicidolite remains. Tiger iron is tiger eye in iron-rich matrix. For some fascinating background on tiger eye, check out this article: http://technology.infomine.com/articles/1/210/gem.tiger.eye/tigers-eye.yesterdays.diamond.aspx.
