PEBBLES and PEARLS

The stones used in this project are Iberville shale – a name that comes from the Quebec town where the shale was discovered by Western geologists. It's a thinly layered, sedimentary rock that was formed from marine silt deposited in this area.
It was formed 400-500 million years ago when the northern hemisphere was an ocean, silt deposits and high pressure compressed the calcium carbonite into these unique and fascinating calcite veins. See photos.
Iberville shale’s stones microscopic particles were cemented together with a coating of calcite (calcium carbonate or CaCO3), derived from the shells of dead marine life. Over time, this layer of shale rose to the surface from the sea floor by forces of erosion and became the shale called Iberville.
These stones are found on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont.
In one of my previous Instructables, I used these stones to create a 3-D Pebble Rock Art - “The Lighthouse”.
This time around, with my wife’s metal-smithing talents we created a pair of ONE-of-a-kind earrings made from IBERVILLE STONES, pearls and silver.

-Pair of Iberville Stones.
-One pair of Pearls - white with pink tint and are 1/2 - drilled.
-Two pcs of sawed or punched out round discs from 24 - 26 gauge sterling silver flat stock.
(Can be any shape)
-Four sterling silver earring posts (prefer 20-21 gauge). You can use sterling silver wire
same gauge as an alternative.
-Two post/earring backs (sterling silver or silicone)
-Sterling Silver solder: medium and soft
-Flux paste
-Propane tank and jeweler’s torch of your choice. I used an “ORCA” torch
-Epoxy - 5 minute - 2 part mix
-Photos: use along with
directions

TOOLS:
-SAFETY EQUIPMENT: glasses or goggles , mask , tie hair back if it’s long.
-Lapidary (grinding wheels) machine
-Flex Shaft - with diamond drill bit
-Diamond drill bit - to drill into the rock. Drill at Slow speed under water.
The bit size is determined by the size of wire used to mount the pearl and the size of the hole in the stone and earring posts. I used a drill bit for 20 gauge which is: .161.
-Soldering torch with tips: In this case I used an“ORCA”. You can use any jeweler’s torch that you are familiar and trained with. A cream-bru-le torch can also be used.
DO NOT USE TORCH without proper training.
-Liver Of Sulfur: OPTIONAL CAUTION ⚠️ Use only after reading instructions. Used to patina the sterling silver after soldering. Use with mask and safety glasses.
-Pickling of sterling silver: CAUTION ⚠️ Use only
as instructed by a professional
DO NOT place hot metal into pickle solution. Use only copper tongs.
Leather mallet (dead blow)
Cross hatch jeweler’s file
Side Cutters - snips

1. Collect stones on the beaches of Lake Champlain. (stones are also available on line on Etsy sites).
NOTE: for this project you can use any two stones of your choice. Make sure they are flat and thin.
2. Select a set (2) of the
stones which match that
would make a great pair of
earrings.
3. Several pairs will keep you
busy.
4. Clean the stones by
washing in water.
5. Make sure the back of the stones are flat and smooth. The face of the stones should remain in their natural state.
6. Smooth the back using a Lapidary grinder. Using a 80 and 220 grit wheel.
7. Mark both stones for drilling the pearl posts.
8. Drill both Iberville stones
using a Jeweler’s Flex shaft
with a .161 diamond drill bit.
Drilling a stone must be done
under water at slow speed. I
used a hockey puck in a glass
container, to place the stone
on.

The drill size is determined by
the size of post used to mount
the pearl.
9. After drilling is complete,
put the stones aside and
proceed to do the sterling
silver work.

1. Using either 24 or 26 gauge sterling silver sheet stock, punch out or cut (using a jeweler’s saw) two (2), approximately 3/8” diameter circular discs. Other shapes can also be cut.
NOTE: Size is determined by the size and shape of the Iberville stones. The pieces cut should not be seen from the front of the rock.
2. Texture one side of each disc. For this, a cross-hatched jewelers file is used. (See photo)
You can also use a rough concrete sidewalk by placing the sterling silver disc on the walk. Place a protective cloth over the disc and use the dead blow leather hammer to hammer and produce a texture on one side only of the disc.
3. For each earring you need: one sterling silver disc and two (2) sterling silver posts.
One post to go through the
Iberville Stone to mount the
pearl and one used as an
earring mount.
4. Cover the smooth side of the sterling silver disc with a black sharpie.
5. Align the disc to the hole
in the stone.
5. Mark the hole by using the
diamond bit through the hole
in the stone. Scribe the spot.
This scratch mark will be
around the center of disc.
6. While positioning the disc where the post goes through the stone, scribe/mark the point where the earring post would go. (Ear side).
This mark is to be closer to the top of the (stone). (see photo)

(Use photos along with written directions)
1. Lay the disc with the non-textured side up on a flame resistant solid block. (For this step)
2. Place the sterling silver pin
on the center mark.
Hold the pin in place with a
3rd hand stationary tweezer.
3. Brush on paste flux on the
disc prior to placing the pin
on the disc on this spot.
4. Place Medium sterling
silver solder onto the area
to be soldered
4A. Do Not use safety glasses
when soldering.
When soldering use
indirect heat. Put heat
next to disc on stone. This
will be enough to melt the
solder.
5. Using a jeweler’s torch,
(Orca torch was used for
this project. Use your
own prefered torch)
should be done under
supervision and/or by a
trained professional.
Caution ⚠️
6. Once soldered, let sterling
silver disc air cool.
7. After the sterling silver disc
has cooled, quench in
clean cold water. Make
sure that the connection is
solid.
8. The sterling silver disc now
has to be pickled. This
process is to clean the
sterling silver so that it can
be soldered again.
SAFETY: USE GOGGLES 🥽⚠️
9. Warm pickle in a small
crockpot. I use a “keurig”
reusable pod, place the disc
in it, and then put the pod
into the pot and let sit for
1/2 hr minimum. Check pod occasionally for cleanliness of the assemblies
10. Scoop out the pod from the pickle and rinse in cold water. First assembly done.
11. Insert the disc with the
soldered stem into the hole
of the Iberville stone.
Again, scribe the position
(towards the top of the
stone) on the textured side
of the disc earring. This is
where the sterling silver
earring post will be
soldered.
12. Turn sterling silver disc over
(smooth side down).
13. Place it on a honeycomb
flame resistant soldering
block.
The already soldered post
will fit into the hole in the
block.
14. Dab paste flux on the
sterling silver disc and
bottom of stem.
15. Place sterling - silver
solder at the base where
the post meets the
17. Follow steps: 4 - 10
18. Place the 2nd post in the
to be soldered. Hold stem
in place using 3rd-hand
stationary tweezers. Make
sure that the post is in a
vertical position.
17. Repeat steps 1-16 for the
2nd sterling silver
assembly
18. Pickle both sterling silver
assemblies for at least 1/2
hour. Remove from pickle.
19. Quench in cold water.
20. Clean the sterling silver
assemblies by using a
Green scotch pad.
21. Place both post/disc assemblies in a Tumbler with Metal shot, water and a dab of liquid soap. Let it run for 2 hours. This procedure will clean and work harden the stems.
22. Take out of tumbler, wash and wipe dry.

1. Mounting the pearl onto the
face of the Iberville stone is
next.
GET YOUR 1/2-DRILLED
PEARLS FOR THE NEXT
STEPS. (See Photos)
2. Place silver disc with the
center post (shiny side)
onto the back of the rock.
Cut the post down so that
the pearl fit tightly against
the stone face. (take short
snips off the post for the
pearl until it fits tightly)
The stem on the back is
oriented towards the top of
the stone.
3. Mix 2-part epoxy per
instructions on the
package. Use a toothpick
and place a small amount
onto the post and into the
pearl. DO NOT USE AN
EXCESSIVE AMOUNT.
Place the post into the 1/2 -
drilled pearl. Press the pearl
onto the post. Hold for 2
minutes to set. This should hold the disc solidly in place.
NOTE: If the hole in the
pearl is larger diameter than
the post, than, you should
also place a dab of two-
part epoxy between the
sterling silver disc and the
back of the Iberville stone
prior to mounting the pearl.
Do not overfill with epoxy.
4. Press and hold pearl and
backing together for two
minutes or until set.
5. For the second Iberville
stone:
6. REPEAT STEPS 1 - 4
Use photos for assistance.
7. I would allow 24 hours for
everything to set and dry.
6. Place post backers on the
posts. (sterling silver or
rubber)

ENJOY YOUR
UNIQUE
ONE OF A KIND
EARRINGS

Constructing a project which uses material from the past is very satisfying.
Iberville stone is as I mentioned at the start, is over 400 million years in the making.
Recycling of this material produced a unique, (one in a million), pair of earrings.
No two stones are alike.

ENJOY THE BUILD