(SOLD) Amethyst rosary with Marian crown center, Mother of pearl crucifix, Our Lady of Lourdes (February)

Description

This elegant, understated rosary has 8mm variegated amethysts for the Aves–deep purple translucent round amethysts with silver luminescence in the lighter, ‘variegated’ portion–and 14mm medium-purple lampwork hearts with an inner white swirl that looks lavender as the Paters. The Paters are surrounded by a silver-plated pewter star cap, a 4mm crystal bicone, and two 3mm royal purple AB finish crystal rounds. Amethysts are the birthstone for February.

In order to keep the amethysts as the focus, an antiqued silver-plated pewter Marian crown center was chosen. This center has two extra loops at the bottom to which to add devotional medals.  I have added an elongated octagonal Our Lady of Lourdes antique medal of silverplate on one side and left the other side blank so that a second medal may be added by the purchaser: you could add a medal you already have (send it to me and I will add it at no charge) or ask me to find a specific medal for you (which you would receive at cost plus a small charge for the addition). There are four additional loops available, although I have never seen more than two devotional medals depending from a center. The Lourdes medal has a single lily on the reverse and shows some wear, but could be engraved.

The crucifix is an antique mother-of-pearl cross finished with a silver-plated corpus, inscription, and backing with end caps to protect the mother-of-pearl.  I suspect that the silver-plate is of a high grade, as its color and patina look more like 800 silver or sterling than a low-grade silver-plate. There is a tiny natural flaw in the mother-of-pearl at the base of the cross; it looks like a tiny rosebud.  The gold/coral flashes on the ends of the arms are from the photography and not the color of the silver; the reverse shows the kind of superficial scratches that come from long use, but the plating is not worn.

The rosary is full wire-wrapped in 1/10 sterling-filled wire with unbreakable loops, including the crystal links joining the decades and parts.

This rosary can be recreated with similar center and crucifix, and could also be made with different Paters (see Sample Paters page).  On my monitor, the amethysts are slightly too blue-tinted and the background looks pale purple instead of white.

Measurements:

Length when hung: 24 13/16″

Length of drop: 6 13/16″

Center: 7/8″ H x 3/4″ W

OLL medal: 3/4″ H x 3/8″

Crucifix: 1 3/8″ H x 7/8″ W