[Jewelry making - Article 00123] - [Orchid] Funky Fossil

[Joyfulcrow]

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Hello Orchidians,

    I have to give some advice to someone and dont know just what advice
    to give! 

    Recently one of my co-workers was showing off a pendant that her
    Boyfriend had specially made for her for christmans. She said it was
    a rare fossil seed that her partner had found on a hike in the
    nearby hills. I asked to look at it and there was a globby basalt
    colored core, about 20 mm in dia, with what at first looked like a
    flattened seed husk surrounding it front to back on one side. Set
    well in an 18 karat pronged ring open setting. I was skeptical as to
    it being a fossil because of the location it came from is an eroded
    basalt volcanic plug, and it seemed a bit heavy for its size. I
    looked at it up close and sure enough, there was a stamp from a
    manufacture, a capital "U" on the reverse side. It was a flattened
    copper jacketed bullet. About a .45 cal. A pretty neat little found
    object if your o.k. with where it may have been...., Certainly not a
    fossil. The pendant is well done and a highly sentimental daily wear
    item. But a 20mm flattened glob of lead is not exactly the thing to
    wear against your skin. She doesnt want her boyfriend to find out
    its not what he thinks it is. She wants to have it coated or ???? I
    had thought of laquers or acrylic sprays, but those would wear
    through. I dont think it can be plated, or can it? The lead is
    corroded and weathered enough to look very similar to rock. The
    copper jacket "seedcoat" is starting to shine up a little on the
    highlights. She would idealy like that to halt as well. I also
    thought that there may be a way to coat the lead with UV curing
    ceramic, but I have no experience in that. While she understands
    that its not going to be ivisible the more discreet a coating the
    better. I think she will probably have to give in and tell him what
    it is, as I dont feel it can be coated without it looking like its
    coated. I am sure he would wonder why that was done. But any input
    on how she can make this piece a healthier item to wear appreciated.
    I'm stumped 

Thanks,
Barney
Joyful Crow Fine Metalworks

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