Large Fordite “Cage” Pendant – #738

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK DIMENSIONS ON PENDANTS. PLEASE TAKE OUT A RULER OR TAPE MEASURE AND SEE WHAT THE MEASUREMENTS LOOK LIKE IN REALITY. They vary widely.

This pendant was hand-forged, by me, from sterling silver sheet and wire, formed with a selection of vintage hammers with all pieces cut by hand using a jeweler’s saw.

This pendant features a piece of Fordite. Fordite is a “stone” comprised of many layers of automotive paint that used to build up on the rails in automotive plants. Cars are not painted in the same way today so “new” Fordite is not available. Parts would be sprayed with paint, then baked, then that was repeated over and over and layers of paint built up on the rails that held the parts. Eventually, the build-up became too thick and it was chipped off. Some clever person realized that if you cut and shaped it like a cabochon gemstone, you could reveal the layers of paint colors in swirls that looked similar to the patterns in agates and get a nice high polish on it like you would a gemstone or the surface of a recently-waxed car. Therefore, this material is also called “Detroit agate”. The information card pictured in this listing will be included with this pendant.

This Fordite was cut and polished by a professional stone cutter and I made the setting. The back is a solid, substantial piece of 18 gauge sterling silver, stamped with my hallmark as well as a “.925″ indicating sterling silver. This particular piece of Fordite is a rounded corner freeform triangle.

The bail where the chain passes through was forged with a hammer and retains some hammered texture detail. The hammered areas have been accented with a black oxidizing chemical to bring out the hammer marks and highlight the contrast between the bail and the bright tumble finish polish of the rest of the piece. The opening in the bail is somewhat wide so you might be able to change out the 20” stainless steel rolled box chain (with lobster claw clasp) included for another favorite chain you already have. This one comes with the box chain because it’s heavier and slides more easily through the bail.

The Fordite is attached to the setting with a single silver tube rivet adding to the “industrial” feel.

This one was a challenge. It sat on my workbench for months before I was able to successfully finish it to both put the Fordite in place and set the rivet and then close down the “cage” elements over the stone as a last step. Definitely a one-of-a-kind setting!

This is a larger pendant, measuring 1 and 5.8″ wide by 1 and 3/4″ tall. 

Fordite CAN chip, so it is best used in pendants and earrings instead of rings or bracelets.

Price includes USPS Priority Mail shipping inside the U.S.