A Heart of Gold – Gold and Garnet Shadowbox

Inspired by shadowboxes and dark academia, I began by hand-piercing and forming a wee anatomical heart. I particularly enjoy design aesthetics that combine macabre symbols with traditionally more light and “beautiful” elements, and this contrast exists between the tiny leaves and fine silver (.999) rose nestled against the heart. Carefully placed black enamel provides the box's shadow, the walls of which are crafted from richly detailed thistle wire. The heart itself has been hand-plated with 24k gold via the keum boo technique.

A 4mm garnet cabochon sits between the box's body and the hand-forged bail, crafted to resemble vines, or a ring wrapped in ribbon. Garnet is considered the ultimate stone passion, referred to as “primordial fire”. Garnet is highly invigorating, grounding, and centering, used to spark love, passion and to protect. In this case, protection of the heart.

The backplate is hand-stamped with, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.”, as reassurance you may call upon whenever your own heart perplexes.

This pendant is approximately (just under) 1.5” tall, and 0.75” at the widest point, with a 3mm deep well. It inclludes a sterling silver chain.