Sand Casting Fossils!

Finding a fossil is always an incredible thrill. So what do you do if you’d like to wear it? Or share it with others?

Fossil Shark Tooth from Florida courtesy of Ken G.

Sand casting is a wonderful way to make a perfect facsimile of the original fossil to wear or share. It’s also amazing to see something so ancient become a precious metal element that can be incorporated into creative jewelry design.

Fossil Tooth, from above, set with an Ethiopian Opal added.

Each selected fossil is nestled carefully into the sand and packed in a mold to create an impression with a void. A fossil with interesting textures is an especially nice candidate as they can be incredibly appealing when translated in shiny metals.

Tiny Ammonite courtesy of Theo Kellison.

Sterling and Fine Silver added to the crucible to melt down.

In this case, Sterling and Fine Silver are melted down to a molten state and poured into the prepared mold. The fossil is removed before the pour, leaving that detailed impression that the silver will fill.

Hot Stuff! The smoke rises from the freshly poured Silver.

The smoke still rising off the casing from the previous picture!

Once the project cools off, the excess silver can be removed from the casting to leave the newly created doppelganger. Now it’s all about the creative process to figure out if the doppleganger will be a throat hanger? So how will the casting work best into a piece of jewelry; a ring? a bracelet? a pendant?

The tiny Ammonites were perfect for this pair of earrings, what do you think? It’s so exciting to be able to both honor the history of the creature whom left the fossil behind, but also wear such a unique, compelling, and beautiful item.

Fossil Ammonites in Sterling Silver with White Topaz!