Bespoke Pendant No. 07: One-of-a-kind Dendritic Agate and Botanical Pendant

This independent studio piece treats jewellery as a micro-sculpture, balancing the chaotic, fractal imagery of natural history with highly resolved, deliberate geometry designed for those who recognise form, narrative, and aesthetic intent.

At the core is a bezel and prong-set dendritic agate gemstone behaving like a miniature framed painting. The stone’s internal inclusions mimic a forest floor covered in golden winter bracken, capturing a moment of natural artistry frozen in quartz. Softening the graphic silhouette of the stone is a cluster of oxidised, cast-from-nature gumnut blossoms, introducing an organic element of romanticism.

The pendant is suspended from a fixed-arch element rigidly bound to the frame by a 14ct recycled gold coil, while a separate, articulated bail holds the dangling blossom cluster. Picking up on the warmth of the natural inclusions, the central prong is rendered in solid 9ct gold. The entire assembly suspends from a golden, 3-ply silk cord finished with a custom-cut and textured oval disk end piece.

Turning the pendant over reveals a second, alternate canvas. Fabricated from thick sterling silver, the solid backplate features a deeply embossed horizontal ribbed texture that simultaneously evokes brutalist industrial facades and the peeling bark of native gumtrees. A smooth, round disk bearing the maker’s mark and 925 silver purity hallmark finishes off the study in contrasts.

MATERIALS:

• Cord: 1mm thick, 3-ply silk cord in golden yellow
• Metal: sterling silver, fine silver, 9ct gold, recycled 14ct gold
  
• Gemstones: dendritic agate

Formed slowly over deep geological time, this piece encapsulates an intricate mineral blueprint. Born from mineral-rich water depositing trace iron and manganese as it travelled through microscopic fractures, these branching inclusions function as nature’s organic illustrations. Evolving under unpredictable elemental pressures, no two gemstones can ever be alike. Each inclusion creates an unrepeatable visual landscape that is permanently framed in precious metals.

every piece is uniquely hand-fabricated inside my Northern Sydney garden studio. I use primarily fine silver, 925 sterling silver - recycled, when possible - combined with various gold alloys (ranging from 9-18ct) as accents. My work features curated, non-standard gemstones chosen specifically for their rare inclusions and raw, unrepeatable crystalline geometry. Visible tool marks and natural textures are intentional architectural elements of the design.

Cord Length: 38cm. Pendant Length: 35mm (including bail). Pendant Width: 26mm. Pendant Depth: 5mm.

Often my work is oxidised - a chemical process that darkens the silver to varying degrees, even entirely black. Oxidised work is sealed with a special wax to maximise the patina's lifespan but by its nature, a patina is a superficial finish and not entirely permanent. Wear from friction is a natural, expected part of the finish. To clean oxidised sterling silver, wash gently with room temperature water and a mild dish soap, then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Do not use chemical jewellery dips, sonic cleaners, or harsh polishing cloths, as these will strip away the intentional dark patinas and can permanently damage delicate druzy crusts or raw mineral inclusions. Store your wearable sculpture flat, in its own box and in a dry space away from direct moisture and prolonged sunlight.

All international orders may be subject to import duties, tariffs, and customs fees upon arrival in the destination country. As of 2025, US customs duties apply to all shipments entering the United States regardless of order value. These charges are the sole responsibility of the customer and are not included in your product price or shipping cost. Tinka Taylor has no control over these charges and cannot predict their amount. We recommend contacting your local customs authority for information before placing your order.