Amelia Ant and Round-Leaved Violet Jewelry Set

In the forest understory, a tiny yellow flower is doing something remarkably clever. And Amelia the ant is paying very close attention.

The Flower That Knows How to Get Attention

Round-leaved violets are easy to walk right past. They are small, they grow close to the ground, and they bloom in the dappled shade of the forest floor where most people never think to look. But when you spot one, a little jolt of excitement runs right through you. That bright, happy yellow against the forest green is one of the most cheerful sights in nature.

Look closely at the center of the flower and you will notice something extraordinary. Round-leaved violets have tiny hairs near the center of their petals, and those hairs are usually a completely different color than the flower itself. They act like a neon sign, a vivid little "over here!" beacon that insects can see from a distance, giving visiting bees and other pollinators something to hold onto while they drink the nectar. The flower is not just beautiful. It is brilliantly designed.

Meet Amelia

Amelia the ant has found this violet and she is here on very important business. Round-leaved violets are propagated by ants through a process called myrmecochory, one of the most wonderful words in the natural world and one I never get tired of saying.

Here is how it works. The seeds of these violets have a tiny white appendage called an elaiosome attached to them. The elaiosome is packed with fats and proteins, exactly the kind of thing an ant colony finds irresistible. Amelia will carry the seed all the way back to her nest, where the colony will eat only the elaiosome and nothing else. The seed itself gets deposited in the colony's compost pile, a wonderful little heap of broken down plant material that turns out to be the perfect place for a new plant to germinate. A violet grows. A forest fills in. All because of an ant.

Every patch of round-leaved violets you have ever admired exists because of ants just like Amelia.

The Set

This one of a kind set includes a round-leaved violet pendant necklace and a pair of matching stud earrings, all made entirely by hand from sterling silver. Every petal, every tiny hair near the center of the flower, and Amelia herself were carved and formed individually from scratch. There is not another set like this anywhere on earth.

• Pendant: 1.25 inches tall on an 18 inch sterling silver necklace
• Earrings: Hand carved studs measuring 1/2 inch tall
• Material: Sterling silver throughout
• Detail: Both pieces feature the tiny hairs that real round-leaved violets have

One of a Kind

There is only one of this set in the world. When it finds its home it will never be made again exactly like this.

A Note from Tamara

I made this set because round-leaved violets are one of those flowers that rewards the people who slow down and look closely. Most people walk right past them. My real life friend, Matt, shared a photo of some he found while hiking with me and I knew I wanted to make them! Once you know about the tiny hairs and the neon beacon and Amelia's extraordinary role in growing them, you will never walk past one again. I hope this set reminds you to look closely at the small things. They are almost always the most interesting ones.

Shipping

Amelia, her violet, and her matching earrings are finished, packaged safely, and will be on their way to you within 3 to 5 business days.