It is true what they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

In the early days of automobile manufacturing cars were painted on tracks and skids, and the excess build up of the enamel paint would form multicolored layered masses.

Clever lapidary artists realized this otherwise worthless slag could be shaped and polished to expose the fine paint layers and form stunningly attractive cabochons.

These cabochons came to be known as Fordite, or Motor City agate, as a nod to the Detroit Ford plants that produced millions and millions of automobiles.

The process for painting cars has since changed, meaning the raw material for these beautiful cabochons is only becoming more elusive!

In this class, we will use metalsmithing techniques like sawing, sanding, soldering, prong setting, and polishing to create a pendant to display a unique fordite cabochon…a true piece of American history