#2 - "Pearling Under the Southern Cross"

Pearling Under the Southern Cross

There are numerous and interlocking inspirations that brought this piece to fruition. Many of which, have been floating around in my imagination for long enough. I would like to thank the instigators and motivators behind the Australian Pearl Design Masters in allowing a platform for me to materialize all these ideas into this one special piece. Of which, I am very proud of.

Firstly, the frame of the pendant is made of platinum.

As well as being the body and frame of the piece, its symbolisms are many.

• It is the frame of the pearl nett panels used to grow the South Sea pearl

• It houses the 5 round brilliant cut pink Argyle diamonds which represent the Southern Cross constellation a symbol of our National flag.

• The frame also denotes the Australian continent. With its North and South pointers. To the West is Western Australia, and Cygnet Bay. Represented by a Cygnet Bay grown, lustrous, Keshi South Sea pearl.    To the East is New South Wales, and the Broken Bay Pearl farm. Represented by the 3 colours of the Akoya cultured pearl grown there

• The frames strength, crafted in the strong, durable and precious metal, platinum..symbolises the Australian Pearl Growing industry itself. An industry by virtue of its essence of being environmentally friendly, sustainable and rare..indeed makes it a strong, durable and precious being. One of which we can all be proud to be associated with - as members of our Jewellery industry and as Australians! A ‘Keshi’ and ‘Nucleated’ pearls were both choose to represent the 2 types of cultured pearls possible as a result of insighting the culturing process in an oyster. These four pearls together also represent the price points that all pearls in the market now create..meaning everyone, no matter the budget, can afford to now wear an Australian Pearl!

The oxidised Sterling silver, in the pendant body, twisted into runs of ‘twine’, represents the netting material used to make the Pearl growing nets. The larger, longer ‘rope’ forming the necklace attached to the pendant, signifies the ‘Long lines’. These lines, suspended by buoys, are used on the surface of the bays of the pearl farms, that these cages hang from whilst the pearls grow.

The contrast between the ‘aged’ silver and the highly polished vitreous lustre of the platinum shows the juxta potion between the ‘grunge romance’ that is true pearl farming and the gleaming and dazzling pearl jewellery bestowed to display in our regaled jewellers showrooms around this beautiful country. Always under the eternal and glittering cosmos, crowned by 5 regaled stars that form our ‘Southern Cross’

Mark Seddon

August 2018