Fossil Coral Pendant on Handmade Chain

This one of a kind fossil coral pendant necklace combines beautifully patterned agatized coral with sculptural oxidized Argentium sterling silver and a completely handmade chain.

• Materials: Fossil coral and solid Argentium sterling silver
• Pendant size: Approx. 0.87" wide x 1.85" long (22 mm x 47 mm), including total drop from chain
• Chain length: Adjustable from 18" to 20"
• Chain: Completely handmade sterling silver chain with individually formed oval links
• Closure: Sterling silver lobster claw clasp with handmade extender chain
• Weight: 23 grams
• Finish: High polish chain with oxidized and polished pendant
• One of a kind + ready to ship

I have always thought fossil coral was fascinating, but I liked it even more once I understood how it actually forms. The flowerlike patterns you see are the preserved structures of ancient coral. Over time, the original coral skeleton is dissolved and replaced by silica, preserving those structures within agate. I love the idea that the patterns of the original coral remain even though the material itself has transformed into stone.

This particular fossil coral has such beautiful, clearly defined patterning. You can see multiple little coral structures across the surface that almost look like someone drew tiny flowers into the stone. The soft gray and creamy tones give it a beautiful contrast while still keeping the overall palette very subtle.

The silver work around it came about almost completely by accident. I was melting down a pile of sterling silver scraps, which I often do to reclaim the metal and eventually turn it back into usable sheet. As the little pieces of wire began melting together, I happened to look down at exactly the right moment and thought it looked incredible. I pulled the flame away before everything could melt into one solid piece.

What was left was this completely organic little silver sculpture. Some pieces had melted into one another, others had left open spaces, and the whole thing reminded me of coral under the sea. I had this fossil coral stone that I had been holding onto for quite a while, and suddenly I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

I continued working with that original melted shape, adding texture, silver balls and small accents while also removing areas until everything felt balanced around the stone. Because the silver was created by melting all of those individual pieces together, it has a wonderful thickness and dimension to it. It feels substantial and sculptural rather than flat.

I initially polished the pendant bright, but with so much texture and detail in the silver, I kept wondering what would happen if I oxidized it. I finally went for it, and I am so glad I did. The darker oxidation settles into all of those dimensional areas and makes the organic silver work stand out so much more. I polished the raised areas back to a brighter finish, which gives the pendant beautiful contrast and plays perfectly with the gray and cream fossil coral.

Once the pendant was finished, I knew a thin premade chain was not going to work. The pendant needed something substantial enough to balance it, but I also did not want a chunky chain competing with the focal piece. So I made the entire chain by hand.

I formed every small round wire link into an oval individually, connected and welded them to create a chain that feels incredibly smooth and solid without feeling heavy. I usually add some extra detail when I make a chain by hand, whether that means hammering, texturing or changing the pattern, but this one did not need it. I love it simply because of the scale and weight of the links. It has just enough substance to balance the pendant while still letting the fossil coral and sculptural silver remain the focus.

I finished it with a lobster claw clasp, a handmade extender chain and a tiny silver ball at the end. This may be one of my favorite chains I have ever made, and I love how the polished silver against the darker oxidized pendant brings the whole piece together.