In the 20th Century, major Silver discoveries were found in Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. Today, the modern center of fine Silverwork is the city of Taxco in Mexico, due to William Spratling, an American, who revived it by training Silversmiths in 1931. Spratling was a silversmith that rebelled against the mass production of jewelry, during the Arts & Craft Movement between the years of 1894 and 1923 that dominated the time. Artisans of this time period used Silver and combined it with uncut stones and cabochons to make such jewelry pieces as the silver pendant. The quality of many of the pieces from this movement was poor because jewelry makers from this period were untrained novices.
The most well known artists that produced the highest quality of Silver jewelry, which included the silver pendant, of the Arts & Crafts Movement came from C.R. Ashbee, Henry Wilson, and Harold Stabler, Liberty & Co., Charles Horner's, and Murrle, Bennett & Co. The Art Nouveau period between the years of 1890 and 1915 coincided with the Arts & Crafts Movement. This period incorporated design elements inspired from the new cultures introduced during the period’s colonialism. One of the best Art Nouveau jewelry designers was Louis Comfort Tiffany. During the Retro Period between 1935 and 1949, the availability of Silver was decreased because of the war in Europe. At the close of the period, American jewelers began to become more popular due in part to the rising dominance of American pop culture. By 1963, the US stopped issuing silver certificates that had supported the paper currency, and in 1968, the Silver certificates were no longer redeemable for Silver. Silver use in coins had also decreased significantly by this time.
The Silver with the most popularity used for making jewelry is Sterling-Sterling which is 92.5% Silver and 7.25% Copper. It characteristics of light color, malleability, and strength make this a wonderful metal to work with. Sterling Silver jewelry, for example, a silver pendant, or pieces are usually marked for fineness.
There are various signs and symbols associated with Silver among those individuals who are involved with crystal healing, chakra, vibrations, chakra, spiritualism, numerology, psychic, supernatural, the New Age and astrological signs; however, it seems that within these associations there can be confusion as to which source is correct.
According to planetary astrology, silver represents the Earth’s moon and symbolizes the feminine nature of energy, which is more passive and less assertive. As far as Vedic Astrology goes, Venus is represented by Silver, and is the metal for Taurus and Libra birth signs. In Numerology, it’s related to the number 4. Western Astrology associates Silver with Cancer and Aquarius birth signs. Silver is considered a water element, and it’s symbolic for those individuals that are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary.
Because Silver has conductive abilities, New Age healers believe that it can conduct the body’s energy, and it can remove negative energy from the body by channeling the positive energy of other minerals into a patient. The minerals used for this process, along with Silver, include Turquoise, Agate, Jet, Moonstone, Lodestone, and cooler-colored gems. To aid a person with poor eyesight, lodestone set in Silver is worn as a silver pendant.
A pendant has been defined as an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry which includes a necklace, choker, or earrings. The most popular metal used for making the Silver pendant is Sterling Silver. The Silver Pendant may be handcrafted or created through sand casting, and it can be enriched with cabochons and faceted gemstones to create a unique piece of art.
|
