Shibuichi Diatom Pendant

Out of stock
Availability: Not currently available
Rating: No reviews
add review | list reviews
Out of stock

Product Description for Shibuichi Diatom Pendant

Maker: Tom Sterling (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 91961
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Item weight: 1.92 oz.
Description: This Diatom Pendant is a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry created by engraving and carving shibuichi. Shibuichi means "one-fourth" in Japanese and indicates the standard formulation of one part silver to four parts copper. Until the Meiji reforms (late 19th century), when swordsmiths began to make purely decorative objects instead of swords, shibuichi was used to ornament various fittings for katana.
The pendant depicts a diatom carved from shibuichi. Diatoms are a major group of algae and most are unicellular, although they can exist as colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons, fans, zigzags, or stars. This diatom shows a star surrounded by a ring of oblong circular shapes. The carved shibuichi is set into silver, which was then textured.
The pendant measures approximately 1-1/4 inches in diameter. It is accompanied by a 20 inch leather cord necklace with a series of hand formed, interconnected silver rings.


Availability: Not currently available