The Scottish thistle is a noble flower, symbolizing devotion, bravery, determination, and strength. It represents overcoming adversity and has been renowned in Scotland as the national emblem and the symbol of Scotland's ancient order of chivalry known as "The Order of the Thistle". In magical practice thistles have the powers of protection, purification, hex-breaking, and healing.
I cast the original pendant seen in these photos in fine silver clay from a mold that I made of an antique button. Your pendant will be made to order.* It depicts a rustic thistle with a genuine blue tanzanite set in the head of the thistle. After molding I add tiny details by hand, making every pendant different from the last. While the clay is still wet I add the tanzanite (which is kiln safe at my firing schedule) and due to the small amount of shrinkage in firing the stone is snuggled tightly in place.
Once fired in my kiln the clay becomes pure fine silver and it is burnished for several hours, I then oxidize and buff it to bring out contrast and detail, burnish it again, and finally hand polish. It is a lovely and meaningful adornment when worn on it's own or it could be layered with other favorite necklaces or added to a chain of multiple charms.
The pendant measures just under 3/4" long including the ring and just under 1/2" wide. It may be ordered with one of my chains in either bright/shiny or oxidized finish, please make your selection from the second drop down menu.