Pseudo-Radiolaria

With their glassy silica skeletons of often perfect geometric form and symmetry, Radiolaria are among the most beautiful of all zooplankton. They are also an prehistoric group, going back all the way to the Cambrian Period (541 to 485.4 million years ago) to present day. Radiolaria abundance, long geologic history, and diversity through time make them important sources of information for many geologic deposits.

This model is big enough that you can use a thick (up to 5 mm in diameter) cord through it to use it as a pendant. If you are the daring type (and have the appropriate studio and safety precautions) , you can order the gold steel model and after heat it up with a Butane torch to a dull yellow an watch carefully to the purple, bluish and greenish hues developing on the surface of the model, and….. STOP. Wait to cool off and admire the magic of fire-scales on the model, oh so beautiful.