Sterling silver gothic style ankh pendant, handcrafted using traditional smithing methods from silver sheet
The pendant is 17mm across, 25mm length (excluding the 7mm bail) & enhanced with a 5mm black indian star diopside. Bail capacity is approx 4mm so will fit a variety of chains or cords
Star diopside, also known as Black Star is found in iron mines, marble quarries and limestone quarries. It is used as a diamond mine indicator mineral. Diopside is difficult & risky to mine, it must be mined only at very cold temperatures - so it is rare. It gets its name from the needle like inclusions which reflect light and produce a four pointed, silvery star. From the greek words di (two) opsis (vision)
This pendant is supplied with a silver polishing cloth & a choice of gift box (black or purple ribbon)
Total weight of pendant is 2.7G
This pendant carries my full Edinburgh hallmark on the reverse (please see below or here for more information on hallmarks)
Please click photo to view larger size
Hallmarks:
This is applicable for silver items made & sold in the U.K
All silver items weighing over 7.78g must be hallmarked by law. A '925' stamp alone is not a hallmark. If anyone tells you the '925' stamp is a hallmark they are not only lying they are also breaking the law!
A hallmark guarantees the precious metal content of the item, and comprises three compulsory marks - a sponsors mark (first two initials of the maker), a fineness mark (925, 916, 999 for example) and an assay office mark (symbol representing one of the four assay offices - London, Birmingham, Sheffield or Edinburgh)
I am registered with Edinburgh Assay Office and my hallmark comprises of the two initials SL, followed by the metal fineness - 925 and then the castle symbol.
This means my items have been tested by the Edinburgh assay office and confirmed with the stamp, to be what they are described as
In most cases, I will send items off to be hallmarked even if they fall under the legal requirement to do so.
If sending items out to the assay office hasn't been possible & the item is under the required weight (on some earrings for example), I will stamp them with a '925' mark