Spiny Oyster & Turquoise Boulder Ridge Sterling Silver Pendant

Built as part of the Sterling Roots Boulder Ridge Collection, this one-of-a-kind statement pendant brings three distinctive stones into a dimensional, overlapping composition inspired by boulders layered along a mountain ridge. Purple and orange heart-shaped spiny oyster rise alongside genuine turquoise, surrounded by substantial sterling silver beadwork. Measuring approximately 1.75 inches, the pendant carries significant visual depth within a concentrated form and will not be recreated.

Architectural Form & Scale

The defining feature of this Boulder Ridge pendant is its layered construction.

Three individually set stones are positioned at different elevations rather than across a single plane. The orange spiny oyster heart rises at an angle, extending partially over the neighboring purple heart and turquoise. This elevated placement creates the irregular stacked profile that defines the Boulder Ridge series, translating the way rock formations overlap along mountain summits into precious metal and stone.

Hand-forged, hammered sterling silver beads of varying sizes flow along both outer edges. Their changing scale softens the perimeter while reinforcing the dimensional movement of the central stone arrangement.

At approximately 1.75 inches long, the pendant concentrates substantial detail and depth into a strong statement form.

Stone Composition & Visual Impact

Three cabochons create a saturated composition of purple, orange, and turquoise.

A heart-shaped purple spiny oyster is held in a straight bezel, establishing one side of the lower composition. A genuine freeform turquoise cabochon sits alongside it in a scalloped bezel, introducing blue-green color and the individual character of natural turquoise.

Above them, a heart-shaped orange spiny oyster is set in a serrated bezel and positioned at an angle. Its elevation creates both shadow and physical depth while allowing all three stones to remain visually distinct.

The different stone shapes, bezel treatments, and elevations give the pendant its ridge-like profile, while the sterling silver bead accents carry movement around the entire composition.

Forging Discipline

This pendant is constructed through layered bench work using traditional silversmithing tools and techniques.

Each bezel is individually formed for its cabochon, with three different setting treatments incorporated into one composition. The stones are then arranged at varying heights and angles to establish the Boulder Ridge structure while maintaining balance throughout the finished piece.

Individual sterling silver beads are formed, hammered, sized, and positioned around the perimeter to follow the irregular contours of the stones. Oxidation settles into the recesses between these elements, defining the layered construction and emphasizing the depth of the metalwork.

A substantial bail completes the pendant, proportioned to accommodate larger chains appropriate to the scale of the piece.

Specifications

• Material: Solid sterling silver
• Stone Details: Heart-shaped purple spiny oyster; heart-shaped orange spiny oyster; genuine freeform turquoise cabochon
• Settings: Straight, serrated, and scalloped sterling silver bezels
• Size: Approximately 1.75 inches in length
• Bail: Larger sterling silver bail designed to accommodate substantial chains
• Finish: Oxidized with hand-refined highlights
• Origin: Hand-forged in the foothills of the Adirondacks, New York
• Method: Traditional silversmithing with layered stone settings and hand-forged hammered bead accents
• Chain: Pendant only; Sterling Roots hand-forged chains may be invested in separately

Collector Statement

This pendant is a concentrated expression of the Boulder Ridge Collection: natural stone assembled through elevation, asymmetry, and deliberate layering to evoke the structure of a mountain summit.

Three distinct stones, three bezel treatments, dimensional construction, and individually worked silver accents give this piece the complexity expected of collector-level Adirondack artisan jewelry. The natural variation within the turquoise and spiny oyster further establishes its singular character.

A one-of-a-kind Boulder Ridge work, built once at the Sterling Roots bench and intended to remain singular.

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