Nordic Axe Head pendant in Sterling Silver or Antique Bronze

This is a handmade viking axe head pendant I made based one I found in pewter. This is available in either .925 sterling silver or antique bronze. It measures 3.75cm high and 2.8cm wide and the opening for a chain is 6mm long and 4mm wide. One side features a raven, the animal associated with Odin, the primary god of wisdom, with the rune Algiz, the rune of protection. The other side features a howling wolf, the animal associated with Forseti, a god of justice and law, and the rune Othala, the rune of home.

Algiz is a rune of great restraint power, defense and protection. It is used in charms and talismans to protect of the person as well as their property.

Othala represents a wealth that cannot be sold. This is wealth like family, friendships or our culture and heritage that is passed down to us. It represents an enclosure and maintains the existing state of things as they presently are.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925.

Bronze is an alloy that consists of a mixture of approximately 90% copper and 10% tin. Producing bronze is a less toxic process than producing brass as brass is a combination of copper and zinc, and the manufacturing process often produces zinc oxide which is toxic.

Because bronze contains copper, it can turn your skin green whether you have an allergy or not. Bronze and copper turn your skin green because when the copper reacts with your sweat and the acids from your skin, it produces copper chloride. Copper chloride is a green substance that then rubs off on your skin. If you are prone to sweating, your bronze jewelry will definitely turn your skin green. This chemical reaction can also be prevented by painting any part of the jewelry that comes in contact with your skin with clear nail polish or clear acrylic enamel.