Mookaite Nuggets Necklace & Bracelet Set
Mookaite ... an earthy, but bright stone in reds, burgundy, purple, ochre, and ivory ... has an interesting story! It is mined only in Australia, specifically near Mooka Creek, which passes through Mooka Station, a sheep farm in Western Australia. Its name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "running waters". Mookaite is a sedementary rock composed of the fossilized skeletons of tiny critters called "radiolaria". Like all stones, it can be polished to a shiny surface, but in this necklace, I've used mookaite in rough, freeform nuggets in the front, each enclosed in shiny sterling silver caps and separated by Swarovski burgundy crystals to bring out the purple in the stone. The back of the necklace is made of polished, round beads of mookaite, and Swarovski crystals. It's adjustable from 17 1/4" to 18", closing with a sterling clasp and decorated extension chain. The size of the nuggets averages about 3/4" in diameter.
The bracelet omits the small round stones, and closes with a sterling silver toggle clasp. Each side of the toggle is graced with a raised leaf design. The bracelet is 8" long, but because of the size of the nuggets, it will fit a wrist measuring 6 1/4" to 7", more loosely on the smaller wrist, of course. It will be fun to look at while you're wearing it, and a great conversation piece.
You can choose to buy one or both pieces using the drop down menu. Also, please fill in your wrist measurement in the box so I can size the bracelet for you. (Measure around the wristbone snugly with a measuring tape.)
Here are some quick and interesting links about the mining of mookaite that you can copy and paste in your browser:
www.mookaite.com
topgems.homestead.com/ gemstone_information_mookaite.html
www.outbackmining.com/mookaite.htm
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