Make Captivating Jewelry with Fossils

When you think of the word “fossil,” what comes to mind? It may not be captivating jewelry, but it certainly should be. Fossils add a lot to handmade jewelry designs and will make unique accessories you won’t see just anywhere. We’ve put together some of our favorite jewelry projects that make the most of beautiful fossils.

Something that I have seen more of recently when going to local art markets is the use of natural elements in jewelry. When I say, “natural elements”, I don’t necessarily mean stones alone, but that with the inclusion of ethically found animal bones or teeth, insect wings, and more. There is something beautiful about combining these natural elements with polished metals or bright stones. While this type of jewelry is trending for good reason, using fossils instead can elevate a piece even more.

We rounded up five of our favorite projects using fossils that involve varying techniques and skills, perfect for beginners and those with more experience alike.

Related: Stone Setting Tips from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist

Reflect History and Connections

Fossils in jewelry can be styled to look rustic or more polished. The Tabbed Fossil Coral Pendant by Linda Larsen leans more rustic with the inclusion of copper cold joins. When talking about the pendant and the fossilized star coral, she explains, “I knew I wanted to work on it with cold connections to reflect its history and the kind of connections I would expect to see in Bali where it originates.” Cold joins look rustic and industrial, perfect for this project. The coral shines while being complemented by textured copper elements.

Modernize Your Fossil

Create a pair of earrings that perfectly frame the face without feeling overbearing. The Ammonite Earrings made by Lexi Erikson embrace the fossils’ natural spiral shape. Lexi says that she likes “the feminine elegance of the ammonite shape and wanted that look without the design being an actual spiral.” Lexi combines the polished fossils with textured silver sheets to create a striking pair of earrings.

Use Creatures as Cabochons

Trilobite fossils can be found at nearly any gem store and show. Roger Halas’ Dawn of the Trilobite Pendant makes for a chic pendant to display an otherwise rustic element. The ease of finding the fossil makes them a great substitute or addition to stones in many projects. Roger explains this, saying that “compositionally, these little sea bugs are fully mineralized and are practically hard as steel, making them a perfect substitute for a cabochon in a ring, bracelet, or pendant.”

Be Inspired by Ancient Trees

Petrified wood is one of my personal favorites in fossilized jewelry. No matter how many of the same project you make, each will be one of a kind with the petrified wood’s variations. The Petrified Sequoia Pendant made by Kathleen James perfectly encapsulates its beauty. She says, “I love the striations and drusies that are characteristic of this stone.” Kathleen shares her journey of setting a partial bezel with the fossil. The unique bezel complements the fossil’s character while remaining modern.

Related: Rock Hunting: Petrified Wood Fever

Create Elegant Style

Fossils in jewelry can also be elegant. The Seashore Setting Pendant by Kieu Pham Gray combines natural, oceanic elements to create a sophisticated pendant. Kieu first found inspiration for the piece when she discovered the pyritized ammonite negative at a gem show. The fossil, originally being a sea-creature, determined the other elements of the piece. A Ram’s horn shell combined with the fossil and shining aquamarine cabochons give the pendant an upscale style.

Shop for Interesting Fossils

If you are visiting the Tucson gem, bead, mineral, and fossil shows, make sure to keep an eye out for elements that can inspire your next jewelry project. This collection of projects has something for everyone to explore and can be the start of your very own fossil-inspired jewelry collection.