{"product_id":"adriatic-spider-crab-carapace-wth-amethyst-stalactite-silver","title":"Adriatic Spider Crab Carapace with Ammonite Fossil Negative Treasure - Sterling Silver","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis almost alien Adriatic Spider Crab Carapace Amulet is cast in solid sterling silver. It is 2 1\/2\" long and 2\" across and is the first \"life casting\" that we have offered in over 30 years. It is available with or without the chain. A carapace is a decorative bony or chitinous shield that protects the back and tender underparts of arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids. Turtles and tortoises also have carapaces. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet within the cavity on the backside of this carapace is a hidden treasure. An exquisite Ammonite Negative is set within the backside of the amulet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat exactly is a “Life Casting” you ask?  It is when you take a form from nature and are able to reproduce it in metal by various methods of molding and burning out of the wax or the natural specimen. There were many technical challenges in the instance of this fragile and detailed crab carapace. One has just one chance to do it correctly before the specimen is destroyed or damaged irreparably. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backstory of this piece begins first with this juvenile crab that fortunately lived and died in the shallow, grassy and sandy Adriatic sea bottom off the coast of Split Croatia. In the summer of 2016, my son John and I took a touristy all day trip from Split to visit 5 nearby islands. Where as the other passengers, sunbathed on the deck of our small boat, both John and i dove into the water to explore what was below. John can hold his breath for some time and he ventured into the undulating sea grass along the sandy bottom and surfaced with this treasure. As we motor onto Havar Island, we discuss jewelry design possibilities for his crab carapace. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chances of molding this piece successfully were low, so I procrastinated. I prepared the carapace by filling the most extreme undercuts with wax and adding a bail to the specimen. I talked with several of my colleges about various mold compounds, hot versus cold molds and how we might preserve the carapace? Because of the delicacy and intricacy of the specimen, all approaches were discouraging and I put the project on the back burner. I then thought of my long time, old school jeweler friend, Pete Conder and showed him the challenging project. He suggested a new cold mold material and thought that he could make magic happen. He successfully made the mold, cut the crab carapace out and injected several waxes for to be cast. Subsequently, I detailed the waxes and prepared several others for future stone settings. Stay tuned for these.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis item usually ships the same or next business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Marty Magic Jewelry is packaged in a beautiful purple box, embossed with the gold foil Marty Magic dragon logo. Perfect for any occasion!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned in Santa Cruz, a collaboration between John Bobroskie and Marty Magic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade in the U.S.A.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marty Magic Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"No Chain","offer_id":44860798238829,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss","price":1450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16\" 1.5mm Box Chain (+$60)","offer_id":44860798271597,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-1","price":1510.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\" 1.5mm Box Chain (+$70)","offer_id":44860798304365,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-2","price":1520.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20\" 1.5mm Box Chain (+$80)","offer_id":44860798337133,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-3","price":1530.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24\" 1.5mm Box Chain (+$100)","offer_id":44860798369901,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-4","price":1550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\" 3.8mm Anchor Chain (+$145)","offer_id":44860798402669,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-5","price":1595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20\" 3.8mm Anchor Chain (+$165)","offer_id":44860798435437,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-6","price":1615.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24\" 3.8mm Anchor Chain (+$195)","offer_id":44860798468205,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-7","price":1645.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16\" 3.4mm Wheat Chain (+$190)","offer_id":44860798500973,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-8","price":1640.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\" 3.4mm Wheat Chain (+$210)","offer_id":44860798533741,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-9","price":1660.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20\" 3.4mm Wheat Chain (+$230)","offer_id":44860798566509,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-10","price":1680.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24\" 3.4mm Wheat Chain (+$280)","offer_id":44860798599277,"sku":"pd-AdrtcSpdrCrbCrpcWthAmth...-ss-11","price":1730.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/1938\/0589\/files\/Silver_Crab_Carapace_with_Ammonite_Negative_10.jpg?v=1783977214","url":"https:\/\/www.martymagic.com\/products\/adriatic-spider-crab-carapace-wth-amethyst-stalactite-silver","provider":"Marty Magic Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}