Cuttlefish Cast Corn Maiden Pendant with Royston Turquoise

Crafted by Nature’s Hand: Our exquisite pendant, cast using the ancient cuttlefish bone technique, features a corn maiden with fine details and a Royston Turquoise stone. The textured silver surface adds an organic touch, reminiscent of windswept fields. Royston Turquoise, with its intoxicating meld of blue, green, and browns, evokes desert skies and galaxies. Whether you seek symbolism or simply crave a wearable work of art, this pendant celebrates the timeless allure of both corn and gemstones.”

This pendant is made by Dave using Royston Turquoise we dug out of this earth in Tonapah, NV, which is the only place in the world it’s found.  We also use only sterling silver on all our pieces.

Cuttlefish casting is a process for making unique pieces that you dream up.  Dave takes 2 sides of cuttlefish bone and sands them perfectly flat.  He then takes 1 side and carves whatever he’s imagining into it.  Sometimes, he makes bezels beforehand and sticks those into the carving where they will eventually hold a stone.  He then wires them together with the carved side up against the flat side.  There is a “pour hole” that’s called a sprew in the top of the cuttlefish and that’s where you pour your melted silver.  We heat up the silver to 1760*F and then pour it into the top of the mold.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.  The molds are a one-shot deal so you always hope they turn out.  He then works them up by cutting off any little “spills” from the sides of the item, polishing it, “blacking” it if it needs it, making a bail for a chain or strand, and then you have the finished product.