Fordite, also known as Detroit agate, is not a stone - it's a by‑product of the automotive industry. It formed in factories between the 1920s and 1970s, when cars were hand‑sprayed and overspray collected on racks, rails, and floors.
With each new paint job, another layer was added - sometimes over 100 layers per car. Over time, the hardened paint was cut, polished, and transformed into jewellery, cufflinks, and inlays.
Because modern robotic painting techniques and environmental regulations have changed how factories handle paint waste, the original accumulation process no longer happens the same way.
Workers and collectors eventually realized these chunks could be cut, shaped, and polished into cabochons for unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry. Cutting through the random layers yields striking visual effects, ranging from tight, linear geometric stripes to wild, concentric bullseyes. Each piece is unique, its colours reflecting the car styles of its era. A one‑of‑a‑kind gem born from an industrial process - and no two pieces are ever the same.
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What happens if you get paint thinner on it?
ReplyDeleteI've been keeping the gel coat over spray from making boats for many years, made coasters, jewelry, little boxes . Got a big box full just waiting for the time to get to it. Since today is the last time I go the plant I might get the time.
ReplyDeleteFordite is a very unique "gem" each piece is different. The colors change depending on the particular cars that were being painted (and the years that the Fordite was formed. the layers are unique.
ReplyDeleteFordite it actually very hard, the paint having gone through many, many trips through the ovens that hardened the paint quickly for the production line. (It will still dissolve in paint thinner just like any paint will if exposed long enough)
I have a piece of "Corvette-ite" from the late 70's that has layers of metallic and metalflake that is pretty cool.
Love the creativity of the Detroit agate. Probably should have listened to the guys on the floor as it all fell apart.
ReplyDeleteYou should see some of the resin layers you can find at a surfboard shop. Absolutely beautiful when cut and polished.
ReplyDeleteNo, you first. What do YOU think happens?
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