LAPIZ and LIME | LAPIZ Y CAL

by JULIO MARTÍNEZ BARNETCHE, México, 2012

SIZE: H 4.8 x W 3 x D 2.1 cm // H 1.88 x W 1.18 x D 0.82
MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES: White Chalcedony, very special Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, 18k gold plated silver .980, direct carving and lost-wax casting

STORY & Artist Statement:

“This piece is formed by a milk-cloured stone called Chalcedony, which can easily be mistaken for porcelain. Chalcedony is the only perfectly white stone in the gem world. And for that reason I love it! The Lapis Lazuli has long time been praised in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. I found this rock in South Korea, a few years after an Afghanistan old mine had been shut down. Neither the seller nor I knew about the rarity and high value of this supreme quality Lapis Lazuli, which now makes up the essence of the piece.

The first step in the process of crafting this piece is the choice of colour. The direct carving of stones is the second step: giving shape and form to the material, using the specifics found in the stone in hand as my guidelines. Then follows the metal (silver) that is worked in the lost-wax casting technique and joins the stone to become one whole. Once the piece is done, the name is born in association with my thoughts and my memories. The jewellery object comes to life. One of the true values of stones is based on the almost unperceived differences between stones that seem to be equal.“