A new addition to my Constellation Collection: The Big Dipper. This time in the form of a necklace, the brooch will soon follow. It is made entirely of sterling silver and the little stars are brilliant cut gemstones (3.5 mm).

This necklace can be ordered set with:
~ synthetic* blue spinel (example in the 1st, 4th and 5th picture)
~ natural swiss blue topaz (example in the 2nd picture)
~ natural yellow citrine (example in the 3rd and 6th picture)

(I am always open to suggestions; should you prefer your pendant set with other gemstones, please contact me and we'll discuss it.)

I oxidised the pendant for a better contrast, but you can also order it in white silver.

The pendant measures approximately 60 x 25 mm (2.4 x 1 inch) and the length of the necklace is 45 cm (18 inch). It has an extra 6 cm extension in case you prefer it a bit longer.

This necklace is READY TO SHIP and will arrive beautifully packed in a black box.

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* A synthetic gem material is one that is made in a laboratory, but which shares virtually all chemical, optical, and physical characteristics of its natural mineral counterpart.

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Some facts about the Big Dipper:

* The very recognizable Big Dipper, also known as The Plough, is part of the Ursa Major constellation.

* The Big Dipper is an asterism, which are stars which form simple patterns but are not constellations.

* The two stars which form the outer bowl of the Big Dipper point towards the North Star, Polaris.
Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor.

* Ursa Major is visible all year in the Northern hemisphere. The constellation is partially visible in some northerly regions of the Southern hemisphere.

* Ursa Major is Latin for Great Bear, although the constellation is based on Greek mythology.
Ursa Major is associated with the nearby constellation of Ursa Minor (Little Bear).

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Ursa Major Mythology:

The myth of Ursa Major involves the character Callisto from Greek mythology, a beautiful woman who was an attendant of Artemis, the Goddess of hunting and protector of girls. Callisto took a vow of chastity and became a favored hunting companion of Artemis.

One day Zeus noticed the beautiful young Callisto and tricked her into breaking her vow of chastity. As a result she fell pregnant and was banished into the wild by Artemis, eventually Callisto gave birth to a son, Arcas.

Hera, the wife of Zeus soon heard of her husband’s indiscretion and took vengeance on Callisto by turning her into a bear. One day, after many years of wandering the wilderness alone, Callisto accidently encountered her long lost son. Not recognizing his mother Arcas is about to kill Callisto when Zeus intervenes and sends her into the heavens as Ursa Major (Great Bear) and her son as Ursa Minor (Little Bear).

source:http://www.solarsystemquick.com/universe/ursa-major-constellation.htm

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