Hidden Heart I Raw Gemstone Garnet-in-Schist Talisman

Details

Pendant is 1.75″ long and 1.25″ wide.  5mm thick

Bail has 5.5mm opening

Oxidized sterling silver

Garnet-in-schist gemstone was collected on Prince Edward Island, Canada in the town of Alaska.  

I seek out American lapidary artists and support their work. This gemstone was cut by master stone cutter Joe Jelks, a master stone cutter of over 35 years experience.

Standalone pendant (contact us with questions about a chain)

Quality and Craftsmanship

Training in the Craft of Metalsmithing

My work as a metalsmith is an organic evolution of craft work that has been part of my life since childhood.  

I have taken a long list of metalsmithing and jewelry making classes and read a roomful of books.  And lots and lots of practice.  I continually investigate new techniques and develop new skills.  One of the most rewarding aspects of the field is that there is unlimited opportunity for learning and exploration.

Acquiring The Back Shop, Tools and Equipment From My Home Town’s Jewelry Store

There was a well known jewelry store called Marshall’s Jewelry in San Luis Obispo in the Central California Coast area where I grew up. I became a customer when I was practicing law in that town and it was there that I purchased wedding jewelry as a gift for my soon-to-be husband.  

Twenty-five years later, in 2018, I learned that the owners of Marshalls Jewelry were retiring and after serving 129 years as the leading jewelry store in the community, the store was going to be closed. At that point, I had retired from my law career. I was engaged with making jewelry for family and friends. I had a vision. I realized that I was moving deeper and deeper into jewelry making life and it pained me to think of the Marshall’s shop full of equipment being dispersed after 129 worthy years of jewelry making.

I contacted the store owner and made an offer to buy his entire back shop.  A deal was made and I was honored to give the Marshall’s Jewelry back shop a new home in my studio.  Jeweler’s tools are usually made for the ages and sometimes older equipment is better quality than the new. 

I am proud to use these tools in my work.  I feel their energy, capability and the wisdom of 129 years immersed in the craft.  I enjoy working at the genuine antique jeweler’s bench that my husband and I rebuilt and restored. I am proud to carry on the Marshall’s Jewelry tradition of quality craftsmanship. 

Sustainability 

Jewelry was perhaps the original recycled material, because of its inherent value.  Precious metals and gemstones could serve as valuable currency as well as adornment.   Jewelry in the past was made of real metals and stones with great craftsmanship and could be passed on for generations.  At any point along the way, the piece could be disassembled and re-made into a new design. But with the rise of mass manufactured jewelry, much has changed. Much modern jewelry is machine made using toxic process and composite non-precious materials with little concern for the impact on environment.   Such pieces may have only a limited lifespan and little or no recyclability  One year warranties are common. That jewelry all ends up in the landfill.

Sustainability is at the core of our values at Donna Weaver Design.  

We are concerned with the entire lifespan of the piece:  

• where and how the materials were sourced 
• what was the impact on the people and places where the materials came from
• any processing of the material before arrival at the studio
  • For example, do stone cutting centers use child labor?
  • For example, do the refineries from which I buy my metals use gold mined in toxic conditions or accept gold that is circumventing governmental controls?  
• studio practices and processes to be non-toxic, to conserve and recycle
• thoughtful selection of packaging to be non-toxic and recyclable
• What is the durability or expected lifetime of the piece?
• Can the piece be further recycled or does it become landfill?

These are the criteria that we prioritize.  With each piece from our Studio, you can be confident:

• Made with certified recycled precious metals (no new mining required)
• Diamonds and colored stones preferably recycled from heritage pieces
• Diamonds from countries following Kimberley Process
• Other stones from countries with regulatory protections for mines and workers such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States.
• Simple yet lovely packaging that is at a minimum partly made with recyclable materials and is recyclable itself.

The Story of Garnets–Lore and Metaphysics

Garnet has been appreciated by humans since the earliest of times and it has a rich and engaging lore.

It has been used as jewelry for millenia.  It was found in Egyptian tombs as necklaces and talismans. Aztecs used them in ceremonies.  Greek and Roman civilizations knew the garnet. The word Garnet is derived from the Latin word granatum, meaning pomegranate, as the color of the stone is reminiscent of pomegranate fruit.

A translucent stone, garnet is said to shine as if by an internal light. It was known as “dragon eyes” in the Middle Ages because of how the stones glow when backlit.

In Biblical times, garnet is said to have provided the only light for Noah’s Ark.  During giant storms, when neither sun nor moon would shine, it was a large Garnet that guided the Ark through the storm to safety.  

Garnet is typically a deep red in color, a color associated with the heart and with blood and vitality.  Perhaps this is why the gemstone garnet is associated with love, light, prosperity, inner fire and life force. It is said to offer the spiritual benefit of grounding from the root chakra.

Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January, bringing its warm color and light to us in a month that is, in the Northern Hemisphere anyway, often challenged for both.  

Shipping and Returns

How soon will my order ship?

Most jewelry shown in the Ready To Ship Category ships within 2-3 business days.  Jewelry that is shown in the Made To Order Category will be created especially for you.  Production times will vary for Made To Order pieces and averages 3-4 weeks.  Made To Order pieces are custom 

How much does shipping cost?

We are pleased to offer FREE SHIPPING WITH INSURANCE on all orders over $150  via USPS Priority Shipping.  All orders ship from our studio in Santa Monica, California.

Do you ship internationally?

At this time we ship to the United States only.  We do not ship internationally at this time.

Do you accept returns?

We gladly accept return of unworn items in original condition within 30 days of purchase for full refund (minus return insured shipping).  Consult our full Return Policy at Shipping, Refunds and Returns or contact us with questions at Contact.