Frost on the Window Leland Blue Pendant 085

This unusual piece of Leland Blue reminds us of a work of art created by Jack Frost. The pattern in the stone has the appearance of the very first bits of frost you might find at the bottom edge of your window. Imagine a crisp, late fall morning, waking up in your cozy cabin on the Lake. The water is a beautiful dark blue from the reflection of the clouds overhead.

This pendant has all of that and more. The stone is set on a hand textured, hammered, and fused sterling back piece. There are multiple layers of grays, blues and purples in the stone, creating incredible depth. Wear this pendant and bring yourself back to all the relaxing mornings you have spent at the Lake.

Leland slag is not really a true gem, nor is it sea glass. It is in a category all its own. Truth is, Leland Slag is byproduct of smelting iron-ore, which is no longer done. It is waste, tossed aside into Lake Michigan never to be seen again.until now... 145 years later, it's a beautiful stone that has earned a spot in my lineup. Read the nerdy, yet necessary, natural history below.

LELAND BLUE (ANTIQUE FOUNDRY GLASS) c. 1875-1900
This unique “gem” is a byproduct of the short-lived days of smelting iron ore in Northwest Lower Michigan. The ore from the Upper Peninsula’s Mesabi iron range arrived in Leelanau County. by schooner. A charcoal made from beech and maple hardwoods plus a local limestone flux were used to refine the ore; the slag byproduct was considered waste and dumped into Lake Michigan.

This material ranges in color from black to green, to blue and purple, with the various shades of water-like blues being the most prized and rare. Under 2% of the slag created was blue, depending on environmental factors. The lucky and determined beachcomber may still find pebbles along the shore.