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Barbara M. Berk’s “Aquamarine Rhapsody” Pendant

Acquired by Smithsonian Institution’s

National Gem Collection

March  2024

Photo Credit: (Left) Robert Weldon;   (Right) Sherris Cottier Shank

(Left)  “Aquamarine Rhapsody” pendant:  950 platinum woven by hand.  31.08ct aquamarine carved by Sherris Cottier Shank, cultured pearls.  3.6875” H x 1.25” W x 0.5” D

© Barbara Berk Designs, LLC 2004 – 2024  

 

(Right) The plump drop:  Carved around the entire circumference, the 31.08ct aquamarine is different from every viewing angle.  21.24mm H x 16.04mm W x 15.24mm D

© Sherris Cottier Shank 2004 – 2024

Barbara M. Berk’s first sculptures were small, personal scale and wearable.  She wove high karat gold and platinum by hand, off loom, one-at-a-time, and shaped the flat fabric into a 3-dimensional sculptural form.  Precious metal ribbons, ruffles, spirals and loops became pendants, brooches and earrings.  She has donated one of her favorites, a woven platinum pendant featuring a large aquamarine drop carved by international award-winning lapidary artist Sherris Cottier Shank, to the National Gem Collection in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

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Read the whole story in the May 27, 2024 issue of the Roskin Gem News Report Magazine, or read the PDF.

Smithsonian

Photo Credit: Gary Roskin

Berk (left) and Cottier Shank (right) in the secure room with curator Gabriela Farfan, trying on the “Aquamarine Rhapsody” pendant. 

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