Last summer we embarked on a journey to northern Arizona, a landscape scarred by the cataclysmic impact of a meteorite eons ago. Stepping onto the rim of the Barringer Crater, often referred to as Meteor Crater, was an awe-inspiring experience. The sheer scale of the depression, nearly a mile across and hundreds of feet deep, painted a vivid picture of the immense energy released upon impact. Standing there, under the vast Arizona sky, it was easy to imagine the fiery descent of the space rock and the subsequent reshaping of the Earth's surface.

A meteorite's journey is a dramatic tale of cosmic endurance. Born perhaps from the collision of asteroids or the remnants of a shattered planet, it hurtles through space, a traveler across unimaginable distances. As it enters Earth's atmosphere, the once-silent rock faces an inferno of friction, the intense heat and pressure transforming its outer layers into a blazing trail. This fiery descent is a fleeting spectacle, a shooting star witnessed by those below, before it either completely incinerates, returning to stardust, or survives its atmospheric trial to land upon the Earth's surface.

These survivors, bearing the scars of their tumultuous passage, carry within them a history stretching back to the solar system's earliest days. Their high metallic composition and often unique crystalline structures offer a tangible link to the cosmos. Inspired by this extraordinary origin and inherent beauty, a process of lost wax casting allows the creation of jewelry that intimately incorporates these celestial fragments. Wax is carefully sculpted around the meteorite, capturing its individual contours and textures, before being encased in a mold. Molten gold then replaces the wax, solidifying to enshrine the meteorite within its precious embrace. The resulting pieces transcend mere adornment. These sculptural forms, versatile enough to serve as striking scarf slides or captivating rings, become personal talismans – fragments of the sky brought to Earth. They are symbols for those who dare to dream, igniting the imagination and fostering aspirational thought, a constant reminder of the vastness, wonder and opportunity of the universe.

Bringing our children along on this expedition proved to be particularly rewarding. Witnessing their wide-eyed wonder as they gazed into the crater, a tangible testament to cosmic events, sparked a curiosity that extended beyond the visual spectacle. We spent hours delving into the scientific explanations behind the impact event – the composition of the meteorite, the geological layers exposed by the blast, and the long-lasting environmental effects. Examining fragments of meteorites, cool and dense in their hands, provided a tangible connection to the vastness of space and the history of our solar system.

Beyond the scientific lessons, the stark and beautiful scenery of the Arizona desert added another layer of significance to our trip. The rugged landscape, punctuated by the dramatic crater, served as a powerful reminder of the forces that have shaped our planet over unimaginable timescales. Sharing this unique environment with our children, discussing the resilience of nature and the slow processes of geological change, helped to crystallize the timeless nature of the meteorite and its impact. It wasn't just a hole in the ground; it was a portal to understanding Earth's past and its place within the cosmos.