Apache Gold Stone & Mozambique Garnet Pendant, newest Handcrafted Sterling Silver Setting, Iron Pyrite, Almandine Garnet, Chalcopyrite, OOAK

This lovely semi precious gemstone is known as Apache Gold. It is bright and shiny gold Chalcopyrite in a black Schist found in "The Big Hole" in Jerome, Arizona.
I've combined it with a high quality red wine Garnet from Mozambique using double bezels and a handmade hinged bale.
The bale has an internal diameter of approx 6 mm. The chain seen in modeled photos is available separately.

Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the once thriving mining town of Jerome, Arizona. The town was established in 1883. In 1918 fires spread out of control over 22 miles of underground mines, burning the inflammable massive pyrite. One of the mine fires continued to burn for twenty years. United Verde moved to open pit mining instead of underground. Blasting in the mines frequently shook the town, sometimes damaging or moving buildings; after one blast in the 1930s newest the city jail slid one block downhill intact.

By 1953, after belching copper for more than 70 years (and about 800 million dollars worth!), the mine was closed down. Now it is mostly a quaint little tourist town. Due to the 30-degree incline of the mountainside, gravity is pulling the entire town down the slope!

Chalcopyrite has been referred to as Fool's Gold because it is such a bright gold color and the black in this material is dark black, creating quite a striking contrast.