Kazuko Oshima was an eccentric jewellery designer who wrapped semi-precious stones in gold filled wire. She believed they exerted an influence on the wearer – healing, calmness, clarity, etc. She did a lot of work with carved hearts, and frequently hung her pednants from oversized safety pins or leather cord.

This pendant is a ruby slab, with a smaller faceted bead ruby, a pink sapphire and a pearl. Kazuko died in 2007. Her NY Times obituary can be seen here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/arts/04oshima.html