#🌲 #🟢 [[Forge & Fabricate Leadership]] << [[Designing earrings to symbolize pentimento|Design]] | [[Leadership is about the process|Process]] >> # Materials with leadership properties ![[calendar-plus.svg]] <small>Nov 06, 2022</small> | ![[calendar-clock.svg]] <small>Jan 03, 2023</small> 🏷️ [[Leadership MOC]] As important as the design of this piece were the materials I chose to use. I looked for materials with properties that represented the characteristics of leadership I aspire to embody. The biggest decision to make was the stone I would set in the foundational element of the earrings. I chose to use an azurite-malachite cabochon. <span class = "rightimg">![[Azurite-Malachite_sm.jpg|200]]</span>Azurite-malachite is a blend of two gems: the deep blue azurite and the variegated green malachite. The synthesis of the two is said to “exhibit the properties of each individual stone, plus some which come uniquely from their partnership” (Fire Mountain Gems, 2020). Azurite is believed to provide insight, promote intuition and stimulate creativity. Malachite encourages action, enacts change and enhances creativity. With their traits blended together, it is believed that the stone “freshens the user’s outlook on life, as well as dissolving egocentric characteristics; dispelling conceit, arrogance and vanity; calming anxiety and enhancing flexibility in motion and thought” (Fire Mountain Gems, 2020). These are all characteristics of both adaptive and transformative leaders. <span class = "rightimg">![[Materials_sm.jpg|300]]</span>Rather than use the more common sterling silver to fabricate my earrings, I chose to use Argentium. It is a silver alloy with improved durability and a higher melting point. It can be fused and welded much easier than sterling silver and is 7 times more tarnish resistant (Cooksongold, 2017). Again, these are important characteristics of a strong leader. ## Sources Cooksongold. (2017, August 16). What is the difference between Argentium and sterling silver? *The Bench.*  [https://www.cooksongold.com/blog/jewellery-tips/material-focus-argentium](https://www.cooksongold.com/blog/jewellery-tips/material-focus-argentium) Fire Mountain Gems. (2020). _Gemstone information - Azurite-Malachite meaning and properties._ [https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/gem-notes/gmstnprprtszrtm](https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/gem-notes/gmstnprprtszrtm)