Sagacia’s Fordite Jewelry: Also Known As Detroit Agate Jewelry
Did you know that the Fordite gem used in making beautiful Fordite jewelry is not actually a gemstone? So, what is it? Also known as “motor agate” or “Detroit agate”, Fordite is a unique gem that is the by-product of the automobile factories that produced cars. This is not a naturally occurring stone, in fact, Fordite cannot be considered a gemstone – instead, it is a gem that is made through the many layers of automotive paint that gradually hardened and solidified over a long period of time. Generally found in the paint booths of the factories that produced various automobiles, this gem’s creation can be traced to the times when cars were spray pained by hand by workers who worked in those factories.
As the paint used to get sprayed over various vehicles, the excess paint would gradually build up on the surface around the painting area and the equipment used in painting the car. Over the course of several decades, these layers of paint hardened and solidified, thus creating colorful structures that resembled the agate stones. If you notice this gem, you will find various banding patterns made of different colors that turn this gem quite captivating.
Origin of Fordite Gem
The origin of Fordite, or the Detroit agate can be traced back to the times when the automotive industries were booming in areas like Detroit (which is located in the US State of Michigan). If you do not know much about Detroit, well, it was the heart of America’s automotive production located near the Canadian border. This place boomed because many industries were set up in Detroit, however, later, in the mid-20th century, this place entered a state of urban decay because of the loss of jobs in the auto industry and industrial restructuring.
You can link the production of Fordite directly to the historical practices through which automobiles were painted. Starting from the early 20th century to the mid-20th century, the cars produced in large automobile factories in Detroit were spray painted in large booths, and in these booths, the paint not only coated the cars but also coated the skids and racks that held those cars.
Because new practices emerged in painting, along with the change in painting technology, and bigger environmental regulations laid on the different types of paints, the methods that produced Fordite phased out quickly. The basic shift where solvent-based paints were switched to more environmentally friendly, quicker-drying paints virtually ended the creation of new Fordite, and this is why this gem is considered a rare gem that has a finite supply. You will find none of the modern-day automotive plants producing Fordite, and this is the main reason why collectors love purchasing Fordite jewelry.
History of Fordite Gem
The history of the Fordite gem is deeply intertwined with the growing automotive industry which evolved with time. During the years when the automotive industry of Detroit was at its peak production, producing various automobiles, which is basically the period from the 1940s to 1970s, there were numerous colorful layers of paint that would accumulate on the skids and racks and other areas. These deposited layers of paint would mirror the popular colors that were used on the automotive industries of those era.
Once it was discovered how beautiful and unique this solidified paint was, and after it was discovered by the lapidaries that these finely layered paint masses (or enamel paint slag of acrylic lacquer) could be polished into cabochons, this gem was upcycled into jewelry. Thus, Fordite emerged as a gem that had finite supply which was an emblem of the automotive industry of Detroit. As you wear Fordite jewelry, you will feel that you are carrying a slice of Detroit’s industrial history, representing colors of the times when the automotive industry of Detroit flourished, making it a collector’s jewel that represents the colors and styles of those times.
Sagacia Jewelry’s Beautiful Collection of Fordite Jewelry
We know that the beauty and uniqueness of the Fordite gem has left you awestruck. If you are thinking of immediately buying Fordite jewelry because there is a limited supply of this stone in the market, and you want to purchase the best Fordite jewelry, well, you can purchase it from Sagacia Jewelry. Sagacia sells Fordite jewelry in various designs, and you can find a huge range of Fordite pendants and Fordite rings in our inventory. The entire Fordite jewelry collection is made out of pure 925 sterling silver, and since it is handmade statement jewelry, it is one-of-a-kind.
Make everyone stunned as you wear Sagacia’s Fordite jewelry. Purchase it now, and if you want to explore other jewelry options, such as amethyst jewelry, moss agate jewelry, and K2 Jasper jewelry, then browse Sagacia’s huge inventory.