It’s not a stone, metal or pearl and it doesn’t come from a gold mine or the ocean. Rather, it is mixed paint, and it has started drawing hundreds of dollars at auctions and shops. It’s called fordite, and it originated in the automotive factories of Detroit. After every new car was painted, a new layer settled on the racks. In time, there were layers upon layers of different colored paints. The aesthetically pleasing, colorful mixture would then harden. When there was enough buildup to impede production, it was simply broken up and thrown away.
Its potential was first realized in the mid-1970’s, when jewelry designer Cindy Dempsey came across the material while living near Lake Michigan. She began to experiment with it after a friend in the automotive industry brought her more of the substance.[1] Now, fordite has become popular in jewelry production and sells between $100-$200.
As the automotive industry matured, so did the process of painting new cars. Improvements were put in place to eliminate fordite accumulation and increase efficiency. As a result, authenticity is one of the main drivers of the price. While fake fordite can be easily produced, it is the method behind the accidental creation of genuine fordite that makes it so appealing. Luckily, factors like smell, strength, and malleability allow for real fordite’s identification.[2]
[1] McCormick, David. “Automotive Debris, Now Know As Fordite, Has Become Treasure”.Antique Week. 1 December 2011. MidCountry Media USA. Accessed 14 December 2011. <http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/753169/the-chinese-art-market-is-losing-steam-and-three-other-trends-from-hong-kongs-fall-auction-season>
[2] Ibid.
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