Fordite

Fordite in Dearborn, Michigan, 2019

Fordite, also known as Detroit agate, Motor City agate,[1] paint rock, or paint slag,[2] is a lapidarist term for polished pieces of finely layered paint masses from automobile factories. The masses consist of automotive paint which has hardened sufficiently to be cut and polished.[3][2] It was formed from the buildup of layers of enamel paint slag on tracks and skids on which cars were painted with acrylic lacquer, which have been baked numerous times.[4] In recent times[when?] the material has been upcycled into jewelry.[5][6]

Some sources classify fordite as a mineral. Fordite is notable for the way it displays "the history of the American automotive industry," both to illustrate the changing colors of car paint as well as the transformation and disappearance of the Ford Motor Company factories in Detroit.[6]

  1. ^ "These Gorgeous Stones Were Accidentally Created From Layers of Car Paint In Old Auto Factories". Bored Panda. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  2. ^ a b Chapman, Mary M. (2013-08-23). "Your Earrings Remind Me of Grandma's Gran Torino". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  3. ^ Spar, Mindy (2004-01-09). "Metalwork passion for jewelrymaker". The Post and Courier. Evening Post Publishing Company. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  4. ^ "The Story of Fordite". Fordite.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  5. ^ Vartan, Starre (2006-11-01). "Wearable art: planet- and people-friendly jewelry is gaining ground". E/The Environmental Magazine. Earth Action Network. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  6. ^ a b "5 Things to Know About … Fordite". nationaljeweler.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27.