Zheng Yi Sao

A smoky citrine on a sterling silver star shackle, set against a brass plate found by a local metal detectorist and embossed with three anchors.

Zheng Yi Sao, Madame Ching, was born into poverty in 18th century China, she worked as a sex worker before marrying a pirate captain. When he died, she negotiated command of his fleet and built it into the largest pirate confederation in history - 1,800 ships, 80,000 sailors, a legal code, a supply chain, a tax system. The Chinese Imperial Navy couldn't touch her. She retired undefeated and lived to 69.

An anchor holds a ship in open water - not to stop it, but to keep it from drifting. This brass plate has three, as did Zheng Yi Sao: the confidence to take command when no one expected her to; the humility to govern rather than just rule; and a fearlessness so complete it looked, from the outside, like calm. 

Smoky citrine clears what's stuck and carries its own quiet charge - part shadow, part sunlight. A stone for people in motion who know where they're going. A perfect pairing with a steady anchor. 

As is often with Smith & Sun, this piece is versatile, I would sling it on a chain, or maybe a pinbadge (however, try to avoid it as a key chain becuase quartz's are a bit fragile!)

Weight: 21.5 g

Length: 9 cm