Fordite Earrings

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Fordite, also called Detroit agate or Motor agate, is a byproduct of the automobile industry. It is made from the overspray of automotive paint. When cars were painted, a buildup o f different colors of enamel would form on the surfaces around the auto body. Eventually, that material would get in the way of the painting process and would have to be removed. It was first collected at a Ford plant in Michigan (which is why it's called Fordite, rather than Chryslerite). At some point, when the industry started using brighter metallic colors, people realized it could be cut, shaped, and polished like agate. While not truly a gemstone, Fordite is rare because modern painting techniques cause little to no overspray. These earrings were handcrafted in Washington state using paint overspray from a U.S. auto factory. They are very lightweight and come in two sizes. The wires are hypoallergenic surgical stainless steel. Approximate Sizes: Small: 1" long; Medium: 2" long. Measurements shown are only the Fordite piece and do not include the earring wire. Show more