Dendritic Opal Pendant, Sterling Silver, Black White Teardrop Cabochon, Winter Scene Natural Stone

This dendritic opal makes the case for a palette in black and white. The teardrop shape features the slow movement of mineral-laden water through pale chalcedony, with dark branching dendrites moving across the surface like ink pressed into frost. A trace of mossy green sits within the stone, unexpected and quiet, the way color sometimes appears at the edge of a cold season.

Dendritic opal forms when iron or manganese traces follow water through fissures in the host stone. When the water recedes, the mineral stays. What remains is a landscape captured in chalcedony, specific to this stone and no other.

A handmade sterling silver bezel holds the cabochon, surrounded by a line-hammered textured frame with small silver spheres placed along the lower curve.

Hallmarked Blue Piranha and .925. The pendant measures 1½ inches (3.8 cm) long from the top of the bail to the bottom of the pendant, and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. Weight is 10.7 grams.

Each pendant is available without a chain, so you may use your own if you prefer. If you want to add a chain, I offer different lengths and styles. Every chain comes with a 2-inch extender so you can vary the length. Please choose your chain from the options at checkout.

Your purchase arrives gift boxed, presented in a soft pouch with a story card.

Good for: a gift for the person who finds drama in restraint. A memento for the person whose jewelry has always leaned toward the contemplative.  The collector who's moved past trend and into territory that's entirely her own.

Questions? Please message me. I'm happy to help.

About Dendritic Opal: 

Dendritic opal is a white to pale gray chalcedony with dark inclusions formed by iron or manganese deposits. The dendrites follow the path of water through fissures in the host stone, and as the water dries, the mineral traces remain, producing patterns that range from delicate and spare to dense and dramatic. This gem is sometimes sold under the trade name Merlinite, though the two terms are not always used interchangeably. Stones with well-defined branching and clear contrast between the dendrites and the base material are the most sought after.