Thick Half-Barrel Rectangular Fordite Pendant – #732

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. This particular piece of Fordite is a thicker domed rectangle “half barrel” shape.

The Fordite is attached to the silver pendant with three silver tube rivets that give it a slightly industrial feel. This is a substantial pendant made up of several pieces of heavy silver. The “caps” of silver at the top and bottom of the pendant are thick and curved on each side to fit the shape of the Fordite stone. The bail where the chain passes through is thick rectangular sterling wire with an additional half-round piece of sterling on the front, reflecting the domed shape of the “stone”. This is a weighty piece with a substantial feel. The opening in the bail is quite wide so you can change out the stainless steel bead chain included in the order for another favorite chain you already have.

This pendant measures 1″ inch wide by 2 and 1/4″ tall.

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

This pendant has a bright tumble-polished finish.

A 20″ stainless steel bead chain included. If you want another length of stainless steel chain, let me know and I’ll replace the 20″ chain with one of your desired length (no additional cost).

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