(SOLD)Leland Blue Pebble Necklace 277

This simple yet elegant necklace features Leland Blue pebbles accentuated in a circle of sterling silver. The lucky seven Leland Blue beads are anchored by the sterling edging, with by handmade sterling pebbles at the bottom. This piece is easy to wear and ranging from whimsical to classic to unique.

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.