One-of-a-Kind Snake winding around a Black Star Sapphire. The snake was created in wax, cast in sterling silver and oxidized to highlight the texture. The eyes are lab-created rubies and the center contains a natural black star sapphire. The oxidation continues to the bail and the 18” sterling silver rope-style chain.

The star is the result of intersecting needle-like inclusions within the stone that follow the underlying crystal structure and reflect light in a different direction than does the surrounding mineral, creating the appearance of the star. In a black sapphire, the inclusions are hematite, a mineral composed primarily of ferrous oxide. This star effect is known as “asterism.”

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