Lapis and Opal Shell Pendant
Kent Raible's newest Shell Pendant displays a stunning spray of tapering granulation on an elegant shell form. Kent cut the Lapis himself, creating just the right rich blue boarder he wanted to showcase the lovely Australian Crystal Opal. The wide bale makes it easy to wear this on large pearls, beads, or one of our large woven chains. We have a video of Kent showing the details of this piece, message us if you would like to see it.
Opal 1.24ct
Lapis 5.25ct
14.3 grams 18 Karat gold
Height: 1.195 in. (30.36 mm)
Width: 1.297 in. (32.95 mm)
Depth: .855 in. (21.72 mm)
See a video of this piece here:
Unlike much “designer” jewelry made today, all jewelry work is done under Kent's direct supervision, with the majority of pieces made entirely by his hand. Beginning with the artist's vision and his sketch, every aspect of the work is done in his studio: alloying the metals, pouring ingots from molten gold, then rolling and drawing the sheet and wire stock used in fabrication, making of granules and small parts used to produce each of Kent's fabulously intricate pieces.
All work is handmade in the USA.
".... Kent's pieces are the quintessence of sumptuous jewelry. Using gold, precious and semi precious stones, he brings to mind a fantasy world of sultans, sheiks and palatial surroundings. Kent's work is glorious in that it has a fantastical quality. It alludes to a time of opulence, when intensive labor was an end in itself. There's a sumptuous, sparkling, magnificence to his work."
- Kenneth Trapp, Former Curator, Smithsonian Institution, Renwick Gallery; National Museum of American Craft
About Kent:
"My life’s path is that of the goldsmith, a path of over 44 years now! To say I love my job would be an understatement! Because, in a world where few things endure, I am one of those who have chosen to celebrate that which defies the passage of time and the whims of fashion.
My life's works draw deeply from the most ancient wells - the archetypes, symbols, and themes that have persisted for millennia. But in my hands, they take on and follow the lines of that singular, internal vision of the practiced artist - one who speaks his own language that somehow bridges the past, present, and future.
My clients tend to call me a true Renaissance man. One could say, in fact, that the pieces I create are perfect time-traveling machines! Firmly rooted in ages-old tradition, each a conscious contributor to its own time, always with a keen and anticipatory eye on what might be next."
Kent Raible's ‘Studio Collection’:
These works are inspired by some of Kent's favorite one-of-a-kind pieces. They are created to be just as beautiful as his bespoke work, but by repeating the design, become more affordable.
An original piece is fabricated by the artist, and is then molded and cast in 18karat gold. The castings are then finished and granulated by hand. The assembly, stone setting, chain weaving, clasp mechanisms, and finish work are done by the artist himself, and his personally trained goldsmiths. Each limited edition piece, although beginning from the same mold is slightly different; varied stones, granule patterns and other touches make each piece unique.