Butterfly pendant crafted by electroforming copper onto a raw sapphire crystal, which serves as the central body of the figure. The copper wings retain the organic relief of the galvanic process. Piece dimensions: 38×23 mm. Gold-plated steel chain, 45 cm.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Raw Sapphire (Corundum, Al₂O₃) |
| Metal |
Electroformed copper with warm patina |
| Piece Dimensions |
38×23 mm |
| Chain |
Gold-plated steel, 45 cm |
| Technique |
Handmade copper electroforming |
| Mineral Hardness |
9 Mohs |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece — Ecos del Taller collection |
Technique: Copper Electroforming
Electroforming deposits layers of metallic copper onto non-conductive surfaces using controlled electrical current. In this piece, the process built the wings around the raw sapphire crystal itself, using the stone as a structural core. The result is a setting that grew on the stone and adapts to its irregular geometry: something impossible with conventional forging or casting.
This Specific Piece
The sapphire crystal forms the body of the butterfly with its natural blue-grey color, uncarved and unpolished. The copper wings have marked veining and a patina that darkens the crevices, giving depth to the relief without losing the coppery sheen of the exposed areas. The composition functions like a mineralogical insect: the stone is the organism, the copper is the exoskeleton.
Each electroformed piece is unique. The galvanic deposit never produces two identical textures, and the position of the crystal in the process determines how the patina evolves with use.
Sapphire in Lapidary Tradition
Blue corundum has been a stone of kings and clerics for millennia. In medieval Europe, it adorned episcopal rings as a symbol of fidelity and celestial wisdom. Its hardness of 9 Mohs places it just below diamond: uncarved corundum appears in mineral markets as a testament to the geological process before human intervention. Raw pieces are especially valued by those seeking the mineral in its original state (wisdom and protection).
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sapphire natural?
Yes. It is a raw corundum crystal, uncarved and untreated. Its 9 Mohs hardness and blue-grey color are characteristic of the natural mineral. It is not a glass imitation or synthetic corundum.
Can copper stain the skin?
With continuous use, it may leave a slight greenish-grey mark on some people. It is not toxic — it's a natural reaction between copper and sweat. A transparent varnish on the metal completely prevents this.
What is the Ecos del Taller collection?
These are original author pieces from the Anima Mundi workshop that were not integrated into the main collections. Same artisanal quality, adjusted price because they are archive pieces. No structural defects.
See also: all pendants · outlet collection
