In 2023, after several forays into working with custom-cut stones for styles like my Inlay and Kite signets, I felt the pull to do something bigger; more complex, more ambitious.
So, I commissioned a set of beautiful, oversized stones: moss agate, rutilated quartz, and labradorite. Some of you might remember the one-of-a-kind pieces that emerged from this, part of the Laurel Lodge capsule collection.
Unlike my earlier designs, which featured a single centre stone with a symbolic charm mounted at the heart, this piece was different. I wanted to push the boundaries, to add multiple charms and stones around a halo setting.
What seemed simple in theory quickly turned into one of the most technically demanding pieces I’ve made.
The Challenge of Moss Agate
Moss agate, while sturdy in many respects, is still delicate especially under the sharp, unforgiving tools used in lapidary and setting work. A single slip can mean scratches or worse. To avoid this, I had to work in careful stages.
First, I set all of the surrounding halo stones, each one placed with precision. The moss agate, the focal point, had to go in last. This meant working around fragile, already-set stones, with no margin for error. It took me several days of slow, deliberate work.
Symbols, Engraving, and Nerves of Steel
Next came the decorative elements like the bail and centre decals. I hand-engraved radiating lines around the bail to resemble a twinkling halo. For the centre, I created a tiny engraved eye and mounted stars, all fabricated from sheet metal.
To attach them, I had to drill directly into the moss agate, a process that still makes my palms sweat just thinking about it. The stone had to be submerged in water, kept cool to avoid cracks from overheating. One misstep, and the entire piece could be lost. But after a nerve wracking session of submerged drilling, I managed it.
With the decals carefully mounted, the stone became a tiny tableau; a miniature cosmos in agate, metal, and meaning.
A Piece Worth Waiting For
Finally, I strung the pendant from a delicate but strong woven chain. The result: a one-of-a-kind piece filled with intention, symbolism, and a whole lot of quiet persistence.
Yes, it was worth the wait.