Swedish Blue Slag
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Uploaded on: Apr 02, 2009
Description:
The stone in this double sided woven bezel pendant has the most interesting story. As it was explained to me, the stone originated in the 1400's when the metal smiths would dump the waste product of metal alloy or sludge that came from the iron they were working with outside their shops. This sludge (slag is actually the proper word for it) would accumulate in piles which got buried for centuries. Through time, the sludge (slag) changed into this glass like stone which they are now mining. To me, this is the ultimate recycling, to wear 14th century sludge around my neck. I think it's pretty cool.:0) |
Listing ID: #19640
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Gorgeous!! I think that this pendant is absolutely beautiful!! I only wish I had been able to see it in person!!
Dena
http://www.h2odesigns.biz
Awesome!!!!!
Monica
Lisa, This is one beautiful sludge pendant! Fabulous!
Carolyn McLean
Lisa, this is stunning. Nice to learn something new... never heard of the "sludge stones" until now. How big is this stone by the way?
Thanks guys!
This six hundred year old sludge stone measures 1 1/8 inches (3 cm) tall and 7/8 of an inch (about 2 cm) wide. I love the size, not too big, not too small. But that's just me.
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Well, I googled 'sludge stones' and all I came up with was health related issues pertaining to your gall bladder. So, fess up... where did you get the sludge stone? :)
Sludge stone was not what he called it. That highly technical term was coined just today. LOL He called it Swiss Blue. I bought this stone from a vendor at the Franklin Gem and Mineral show and he told me all about the origin of this stone. He looked credible enough so I believe him. Honestly, I didn't make this up. I am just telling you what the vendor told me. I think it's a great story though, very colorful. But how can you prove anything like this? It's kind of like Fordite, do you believe the story about the layers of paint building up in the Ford factory being cut into cabs or not? It all just interesting things to talk about.
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
The mining sludge you are talking about is probably "slag" in the industry...left overs from mining and processing of ores. I have picked up pieces of slag on old mine dumps while rockhounding and I've seen BEAUTIFUL slag crystals that looked like gorgeous sparkling emeralds. Try searching for "slag glass" and see if you get anything. Very gorgeous piece, by the way, I love it!
I did some hunting around and I found another artist on line with jewelry made of this same material. Take a look here, on her March 9, 2009 entry:
http://www.ndesignsmetal.com/
She talks about her 500 year old piece of Swedish Blue Slag. At least I know now that the vendor wasn't lying to me. I feel better now.
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Wowzers! That Slag is mesmerizing! Like looking into a wave just before it crests. Gorgeous pendant!
April
Great story, incredible exquisite stone, and beautiful work.
Dawn
http://www.dawnblairjewelry.com
http://www.cellocarrots.blogspot.com
Beautiful as always Lisa, great work!!!!
If you can dream it - you can do it!
(Walt Disney)
Thanks April. The stone really is this color and it goes from light to dark naturally. I did not change it for the picture. It really is like looking into an ocean wave. :) Who'd have thought slag could look so good?
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Dawn, thanks for that comment! I love the stories behind the stones. I try to find out about the stones I buy and tell those who purchase from me as much as I can. It makes the stones "come to life" so to speak. I just love stones, what can I say?
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
So elegant.
The 'stone' is very beautiful, and a wonder in recycling, since that is exactly what is going on with it! Just to add a little bit to the historical aspect, It is no accident that many metal and glass works were located near one another at that time - the skilled labor used in both was somewhat interchangeable, and the glass makers of the time needed some of the ore to make the beautiful clear glass so popular among the nobility for their homes and churches.
Iron ore is usually found near quartz. 'Slag' from the smelting and refining process of iron is largely composed of silica, and other imperfections. Silica is the main ingredient in glass. Purified, it creates imperceptibly colored glass - The addition of other minerals gives it color, and interestingly, removes color, in certain applications. This slag must have had small amounts of cobalt, too. Cobalt is what is used to achieve a glorious blue color even today.
The 15th century (1400-1500)is the time frame that Murano and all of the Venetian glass makers first came to the fore. Pure, clear, evenly toned clear and colored glass-making was an artform then in Europe. They would not have prized this glass that formed from the refining process - due to the quick cooling, it had the striations in color, and an unusable form.
How interesting that it has lain in this state since practically moments after it was removed from the refinery - just covered over with soil and the remains of buildings. How wonderful that we prize this glass for its antiquity and accidental beauty.
Perri
http://www.ShaktipajDesigns.etsy.com
http://shaktipajdesigns.blogspot.com/
Thanks Perri for the additional info. Such an interesting stone. I love the fact that we can take something that was thrown away and left as trash and make it into something beautiful.
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Wow! I am Nancy Lee, the artist mentioned who also used the Swedish blue slag. I am so happy to see someone else using this beautiful blue stone, and in a very elegant and unusual way! And thanks to Lisa Barth for the mention - it is appreciated!
http://www.ndesignsmetal.com/Your phrase/keywords.
Well, what a small world it is Nancy Lee and what an absolute pleasure to talk to you. I was so happy to see your work, (very well done I might add) Your Swedish Blue piece is gorgeous. What an interesting story this stone has and how wonderful to hear from you. Thank you so much!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
I liked this pendant and its colours soooooo much...But what should I undertsnd of double sided woven? Actually I got the relevant tutorial and did not try it yet. I have no clue how posibbly the second set of wire ends would be concealed at the back??
Hey there Ozon871,
The actual weave is the same on the back, just a mirror image. The part that I was concentrating on the most when I was designing this was how to bring 18 wires all together at the top, to hold the pendant, make a bail and look good at the same time. It is a criss cross, every other one thing. Once you get the concept, it's not hard, it just takes practice as everything does. It is best to start off with the single sided bezel weave and then move on to the double sided weave. Thanks for your comment. If you have any more questions, you can email me if you like. Thanks!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Jewelrygal; Thank you so much for taking your time and answering my question:) I am craving towards this weekend:):) I saw later that there is also a tutorial for the double sided weave on this subject.
I will decide whether to get it once I have tried the single sided one:):) However much I have to master the single sided weave first, I have to admitt: my eyes popped out at this double sided one:):)
Regards,
Özlem Arslan
You are so welcome Ozlem. I am here to help if you need me. I would love to see your work when you have completed it, OK? Thanks!!!!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com
Now WORK WORK WORK:):) I have to finish and post:) If you hear nothing from me; don't ask:):)
Özlem Arslan
Gotcha Ozlem. Now get back to work! (snicker, I'm just kidding:) Can't wait to see it!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com