Verdite Spiral Pendant Zimbabwe Mzimba Collection

This pendant is carved from verdite, a deep green stone found primarily in southern Africa and valued for its rich color and natural swirling patterns. Each piece features unique variations in tone, ranging from lighter olive greens to darker forest shades.

Verdite has long been associated with growth, vitality, and connection to the natural world. It is often regarded as a grounding stone believed to encourage stability, perseverance, and a sense of balance. This necklace comes from the Mzimba Collection.

In 1997, Elizabeth and Sara stumbled upon an exceptional carver, Lawrence Mzimba, at a quaint craft market in Zimbabwe. Enthralled by his exquisite verdite pendants, they made a landmark purchase, becoming his most significant sale yet. A surprise email from Lawrence in early 2013, sparked by spotting one of his remaining pendants on their website, reignited their connection. Thrilled at the prospect, they eagerly embraced the opportunity for more of his remarkable work, having struggled to locate him during their subsequent travels to Africa.

During their recent trip to Africa, Elizabeth, and Sara joyously reunited with Lawrence Mzimba, acquiring an impressive array of hand-carved Shona stone pieces. This diverse collection encompasses abstract faces, miniature busts, wildlife like rhinos, elephants, birds, rams, and iconic figures such as the Zambezi River God, Nyami Nyami. While Shona stone possesses strength, it's susceptible to scratches, urging careful handling.

Each piece in this assortment bears the distinctive signature of the artist, Lawrence Mzimba, a skilled artisan born in 1965 in Harare. Since 1994, Lawrence has dedicated himself to full-time stone carving, fashioning captivating creations and an array of stone and cow bone pendants.

Pendant Size: 1.5 x 1.6 inches (see penny photo for comparison)