Tangiwai Pendant

I had a bag of pieces and offcuts of Tangiwai in the wings so I got stuck into it. Most of the smaller pieces and earrings ended up in Monza gallery, Takaka but I kept back the more substantial pieces for here.

Tangiwai is a form of metamorphosed serpentine called Bowenite. The name literally means ‘tear water’ and it is renowned for it’s beautiful translucency.

Because the sources of this stone are now locked up it has become ‘unobtainium’! Which is a shame as it is one of my all time favourite gemstones!

I was lucky enough to get together a wee stash (which I treasure) when it was reasonably available many years back.

The shape of this pendant is in the form of a tooth or ‘niho’.

This piece is from lovely stone having some chatoyancy and beautiful translucency, and that colour!

There are abundant yellow flecks, I am not sure what mineral is responsible for those.

It is 6.8cm long x 3.6cm widest.

The cord has sliding knots to make it adjustable.