What On Earth?

**Dennis** · 02-09-2014, 08:36 AM

Our project at college, set last term but carried over into the holiday, was to make a piece of jewellery on the topic of the universe, which immediately translated in my mind to ’Solar System.’

So here is my simplified and not very accurate depiction to be worn as a pendant. The orbits which are made from rectangular strip, reduce in height towards the centre, so giving a terraced look. The sawn edges are unfiled to add texture.

The planets are made from various semi-precious cabochons such as spessartine, sodalite, and rubies. Our earth is made from an opal triplet and the nearby moon from balled up wire. The sun at the centre is a citrine cabochon, with a faceted pavilion. I have avoided too much detail to avoid becoming over fussy, but there is also a ring around Saturn.

The stout braided chain from Bellore can be adjusted with a slider to be worn long or short. Pulling it over your head is not ideal, but seemed the best option for a length of 72cm. Dennis.

**BarryM** · 02-09-2014, 09:01 AM

A really god interpretation of the brief, but where are the asteroids?? 😄

**susieq** · 02-09-2014, 09:02 AM

Beautiful as ever Dennis. What is the finished diameter? Was burnishing over the cabochons with others so close tricky?

Susie

**MeadMoon** · 02-09-2014, 09:46 AM

Wow! I love that. What an excellent interpretation of the brief!

**LydiaNiz** · 02-09-2014, 10:24 AM

Anything to do with space and I'm smitten. Plus it's always handy to have a map on you ;-)
I have some pieces of meteorite I want to use, but still waiting for inspiration to strike (hopefully with less catastrophic force).

**Aurarius** · 02-09-2014, 05:17 PM

That's very appealing, Dennis, and a sensitive piece of work.
If you'd been able to source a citrine 5 metres in diameter the sun would have been to scale.

**ShinyLauren** · 02-09-2014, 05:54 PM

Very cool Dennis! Interpretation and execution excellent.

**Dennis** · 02-09-2014, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by BarryM

A really god interpretation of the brief, but where are the asteroids?? ��

They're too small to see, but it's' more when than if.

**Dennis** · 02-09-2014, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by susieq

What is the finished diameter? Was burnishing over the cabochons with others so close tricky? Susie

The diameter of the pendant is 35mm and yes you're right Susie, the tube settings are not that well finished, partly because they are crowded, but also because they are sunken in an amphitheatre effect, which makes access more difficult. The stones are only 2-3mm in diameter, so luckily in real life they don't look too bad. Dennis.