Fordite (or "Detroit Agate") was salvaged from the spray booth at the Ford River Rouge plant in the late 1970s. Chunks of layered automotive overspray were chipped from the walls and conveyor, then cut and polished into gems. Amazing patterns emerge from the Fordite depending on the angle of the cut or depth of the polishing. Traverse City artist James Blanchard creates this unique recycled jewelry by setting the Fordite gems into contemporary sterling silver designs.

Available at Gallery 50 located in historic Building 50, Traverse City - www.galleryfifty.com