Inspired by the book Atlas Shrugged This sterling silver bracelet was hand forged from a thick 10 gauge wire. All of the links are soldered shut and the clasp was forged by hand as well. The finish is a dark grey/blue/black which was achieved through a cross between anodizing and oxidization. In the book the bracelet is made by a man named Rearded who forged it for his wife. I envisioned a very bulcky rustic and more or less ugly finished product that would be beautiful for what it represented.
Below are passages from the book:
He walked keeping one hand in his pocket his fingers closed about a bracelet. It was made of Rearden Metal in the shape of a chain. His fingers moved feeling its texture once in a while. It had taken ten years to make that bracelet. Ten years he thought is a long time. The road was dark edged with trees. Looking up he could see a few leaves against the stars; the leaves were twisted and dry ready to fall.
-----------------------------------------
He touched the bracelet in his pocket. He had had it made from that first poured metal. It was for his wife. As he touched it he realized suddenly that he had thought of an abstraction called his wife???not of the woman to whom he was married.
He felt a stab of regret wishing he had not made the bracelet then a wave of self-reproach for the regret.
-----------------------------------------
He put his hand in his pocket. When he touched it the reality of the bracelet swept out everything else; he felt as he had felt when the liquid metal had poured through space before him.
I brought you a present Lillian.
He did not know that he stood straight and that the gesture of his arm was that of a returning crusader offering his trophy to his love when he dropped a small chain of metal into her lap.
Lillian Rearden picked it up hooked on the tips of two straight fingers and raised it to the light. The links were heavy crudely made the shining metal had an odd tinge it was greenish-blue.
What's that? she asked.
The first thing made from the first heat of the first order of Rearden Metal.
You mean she said it's fully as valuable as a piece of railroad rails?
He looked at her blankly.
-----------------------------------------
He approached her???and stopped. She had always shown good taste in her use of jewelry never wearing too much of it. But tonight she wore an ostentatious display: a diamond necklace earrings rings and brooches. Her arms looked conspicuously bare by contrast. On her right wrist as sole ornament she wore the bracelet of Rearden Metal. The glittering gems made it look like an ugly piece of dime-store jewelry.
------------------------------------------
She heard Lillian's words and stopped. Lillian had said it many times this evening in answer to the same question but it was the first time that Dagny heard it.
This? Lillian was saying extending her arm with the metal bracelet for the inspection of two smartly groomed women. Why no it's not from a hardware store it's a very special gift from my husband. Oh yes of course it's hideous. But don't you sec? It's supposed to be priceless. Of course I'd exchange it for a common diamond bracelet any time but somehow nobody will offer me one for it even though it is so very very valuable. Why? My dear it's the first thing ever made of Rearden Metal.
Dagny did not see the room. She did not hear the music. She felt the pressure of dead stillness against her eardrums. She did not know the moment that preceded or the moments that were to follow. She did not know those involved neither herself nor Lillian nor Rearden nor the meaning of her own action. It was a single instant blasted out of context. She had heard. She was looking at the bracelet of green-blue metal.
She felt the movement of something being torn off her wrist and she heard her own voice saying in the great stillness very calmly a voice cold as a skeleton naked of emotion If you are not the coward that I think you are you will exchange it.
On the palm of her hand she was extending her diamond bracelet to Lillian.
You're not serious Miss Taggart? said a woman's voice.
It was not Lillian's voice. Lillian's eyes were looking straight at her.
She saw them. Lillian knew that she was serious.
Give me that bracelet said Dagny lifting her palm higher the diamond band glittering across it.
This is horrible! cried some woman. It was strange that the cry stood out so sharply. Then Dagny realized that there were people standing around them and that they all stood in silence. She was hearing sounds now even the music; it was Halley's mangled Concerto somewhere far away.
Lillian's mouth moved into an upturned crescent. It resembled a smile. She snapped the metal bracelet open dropped it on Dagny's palm and took the diamond band.
You may have it back Miss Taggart when you change your mind she said.
Dagny had turned away. She felt calm and free. The pressure was gone. The need to get out had vanished. She clasped the metal bracelet on her wrist. She liked the feel of its weight against her skin. Inexplicably she felt a touch of feminine vanity the kind she had never experienced before: the desire to be seen wearing this particular ornament.
---------------------------------------------------
She brought out the bracelet of Rearden Metal. She extended it to him without a word looking straight at him the green-blue chain glittering across her palm.
---------------------------------------------------
She wore no jewelry only a bracelet on her wrist a chain of heavy metal links with a green blue cast.
---------------------------------------------------
It was the green-blue spark that caught her attention: it flashed for an instant under the lights on the wrist of a thin naked arm. Then she saw the slender body the gray dress the fragile naked shoulders. She stopped. She looked at the bracelet frowning.
---------------------------------------------------
I see that you expected both Henry and me to be here tonight.
Why no I can't say that I did I had not seen my brother's guest list.
Then why are you wearing that bracelet?
Dagny's eyes moved deliberately straight to hers. I always wear it.
Don't you think that that's carrying a joke too far?
It was never a joke Mrs. Rearden.
Then you'll understand me if I say that I'd like you to give that bracelet back to me.
I understand you. But I will not give it back.
Lillian let a moment pass as if to let them both acknowledge the meaning of their silence. For once she held Dagny's glance without smiling. What do you expect me to think Miss Taggart?
Anything you wish.
What is your motive?
You knew my motive when you gave me the bracelet.
